CHRIST CAME TO REDEEM US AND TO CHANGE OUR HEARTS
5/17/2021
How amazing is it for those of us who have given our lives to Jesus to find a quiet place and truly contemplate what it means to “ Abide In Him And He In Us.” For many years of my life after I had received Jesus as my Savior, I spent untold hours and struggles on what I will call “ The Wheel of Morality Management.” Constantly trying to fix my behavior. Feeling weak and ashamed when I fell back into patterns of sinfulness. Wondering why I messed up so often when I truly wanted to “BE” and “DO” what I thought Jesus wanted from me. Somewhere in the process, Jesus showed me the real truth ! I WAS NEVER GOING TO BE REDEEMED BY MY OWN EFFORTS. I was never going to be a perfect picture of moral perfection because I was still a sinner battling in my flesh with my own power. The key to being redeemed is to realize “ You have been REBORN IN CHRIST.” Jesus is the perfection and strength that allows your redemption and relationship with God The Father to Change Who You Are! The Holy Spirit is the driving conscience and guide that lets you Seek and Find and Engage in Repentance. Repentance requires CONFESSION and A DESIRE to turn away from SIN. Christ alone has brought me to Redemption and a Change of Heart into every part of who I am.
I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME, AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20
IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRESPASSES, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE. Ephesians 1:7
FOR WITH THE HEART ONE BELIEVES AND IS JUSTIFIED, AND WITH THE MOUTH ONE CONFESSES AND IS SAVED. Romans 10:10
Christ has redeemed us through His death on the cross. He took on everything for each one of us that made us unacceptable in the Father’s eyes, and He suffered the wrath and punishment we deserved. He suffered and died in our place. His blood cleanses us and gives us life. Alone in our sinful lives, we are dead. Once we call to Him and confess our sins we are saved ! The belief in our heart allows us to truly align with Jesus and His ways. WE ARE REBORN. This is truly a beautiful Story Of Salvation and Redemption. It was all God ! There is no “plan” we can execute perfectly to manage our morality. Setting out an endless list of behavioral modifications doesn’t work without the “Heart Being Engaged”. Without Jesus changing your heart, you will only see God as a roadblock to pleasure and fun. A task master with a rule book that you constantly have to strive toward , and more often than not you fail. A process and lifestyle that seems difficult and unattainable, and frankly “very demanding” brings no joy and minimal effort. Approaching Jesus with your brain and worldly ways will not get you very far. Is it truly a surprise that so many people, both young and old, find God to be no Answer or Hope in their lives ? The message is hard, and the hypocritical nature of many is deflating. WE HAVE A CHURCH TODAY THAT DOES NOT PREACH THE GOSPEL, AND OFTEN GIVES A FALSE IMPRESSION OF GOD”S CHARACTER AND HIS TRUTH ! A church that teaches false Prosperity and Comfort. A church that embraces the culture of the moment, not God’s Unchanging Truth. Instead a church that violates God’s Word and Commandments every day. A church that worries about attendance numbers, pet projects, and feel good messages carefully crafted to make sure no one is offended. NO FOCUS ON JESUS OR THE THINGS HE TAUGHT AND MODELED. A focus on self instead of Worship, or caring for others, or Maturing in one’s Faith, or, Giving Glory To God. Jesus saw it in His time on earth in the religious leaders that He encountered every day in His life. He would see it as well in today’s world. Find a church that is focused on Jesus and God’s Word. Your church should be building your passion for and understanding of God’s coming Kingdom. Your church should be helping you grow and find purpose !
SO THEN YOU ARE NO LONGER STRANGERS AND ALIENS, BUT YOU ARE FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD, BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF BEING THE CORNERSTONE IN WHOM THE WHOLE STRUCTURE, BEING JOINED TOGETHER, GROWS INTO A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. IN HIM YOU ARE ALSO BEING BUILT TOGETHER INTO A DWELLING PLACE FOR GOD BY THE SPIRIT. Ephesians 2: 19-22
YOU YOURSELVES LIKE LIVING STONES ARE BEING BUILT UP AS A SPIRITUAL HOUSE, TO BE A HOLY PRIESTHOOD, TO OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 1 Peter 2:5
In our own lives, true redemption comes once we enter into a personal relationship with Jesus, and we make Him Our Focus. Jesus is Refreshing. His Yoke is Light. He will guide your paths and your purpose.He alone can bring you into a full and pure relationship with God The Father. His promise isn’t focused on temporary prosperity or fleeting rewards. He is Long Term. He is about Eternal Life and Completeness. Jesus did not come to embrace the “Culture” of His day. He came to “Redeem” those who were lost. He came to “Heal” those who had Faith, and He came to give “Hope” to the downtrodden and weary. Imagine…..just as He walked with His disciples and told them stories, taught them truths, so it can be for us today. Trust Him. Focus on Him and Love Him. Talk to Him. Pray to Him. Time, … ah Time. He is returning, and He will be coming as the Lion, not the Lamb. Will you seek Him and be Redeemed ? Will you let Him Change Your Heart ? I pray that you do…. Time to Choose ! BE HIS/JAA
THEN HE SHOWED ME THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE, CLEAR AS CRYSTAL, FLOWING FROM THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY’S MAIN STREET. THE TREE OF LIFE WAS ON EACH SIDE OF THE RIVER, BEARING TWELVE KINDS OF FRUIT, PRODUCING THE FRUIT EVERY MONTH. THE LEAVES OF THE TREE ARE FOR HEALING THE NATIONS. AND THERE WILL NO LONGER BE ANY CURSE. THE THRONE OF GOD AND OF THE LAMB WILL BE IN THE CITY, AND HIS SERVANTS WILL WORSHIP HIM. THEY WILL SEE HIS FACE, AND HIS NAME WILL BE ON THEIR FOREHEADS. NIGHT WILL BE NO MORE; PEOPLE WILL NOT NEED THE LIGHT OF A LAMP OR THE LIGHT OF THE SUN, BECAUSE THE LORD GOD WILL GIVE THEM LIGHT, AND THEY WILL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER. Revelation 22: 1-5 AMEN !