SECURITY
SECURITY IN CHRIST JESUS “WORTH CONSIDERING” 8/13/20
Today’s Scripture (Across my desk this morning from a church in Texas.)
“…This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins…” (1 John 4:10, NLT)
This is Real Love
“Real love” is not our love for God, it’s God’s love for us. When we try to perform to gain His love, the problem is that we can never measure up. There will always be something we can’t do right, some reason we can’t feel good about ourselves. Why don’t you take the pressure off and receive real love, God’s love for you?
That’s what the lady who was caught in the act of adultery had to do in John 8. When her religious accusers walked away, failing to condemn her, Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” He didn’t say, “Go and change your ways, quit giving in to the temptation, and then I’ll love you, then I’ll be for you.” Just the opposite. He first said, “I don’t condemn you.” Before He talked about her behavior, before he addressed the issues, Jesus made sure she knew she was the one whom He loved.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that Your love is the real love that I need to change my life. Thank You that You sent Jesus as a sacrifice to take away my sins that I might receive Your love as a gift. I receive it now, and I believe I am the one whom You love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Ken’s Comments,
BUT, Jesus did tell the woman, “Go and sin no more.” And of course there were no Christians until the Resurrection of Christ Jesus and the Church did not start until Pentecost. The 4 Gospels are transitional to bring us from the LAW into GOD’S Grace. But Grace is still conditional. That is ( if ) you do that, I will do this. The little word “if” is all the way through the New Testament. Sure, from God’s dimension HE knows who HIS “Elect” are through HIS absolute foreknowledge. But from our point of view as being locked in time, we really don’t know if we will graduate until graduation. Our earthly habit patterns are a good indication if they conform to the conditions set out in the New Testament. It is true that GOD loves each of us just as much as HE loves Jesus. But as to us loving God back in obedience it is up to us. Love is a decision on our part as is also humility and obedience. So I leave you with some conditional scriptures to consider.
Heb. 6:3-9: “ And we will do this [that is, proceed to maturity], if God permits. 4 For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once been enlightened [spiritually] and who have [a] tasted and consciously experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the powers of the age (world) to come, 6 [b] and then have fallen away—it is impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are holding Him up again to public disgrace. 7 For soil that drinks the rain which often falls on it and produces crops useful to those for whose benefit it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it persistently produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned. 9 But, beloved, even though we speak to you in this way, [c] we are convinced of better things concerning you, and of things that accompany salvation.”
Heb. 9:26-31: “For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate], 27 but a kind of awful and terrifying expectation of [divine] judgment and the fury of a fire and burning wrath which will consume the adversaries [those who put themselves in opposition to God]. 28 Anyone who has ignored and set aside the Law of Moses is put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much greater punishment do you think he will deserve who has rejected and trampled under foot the Son of God, and has considered unclean and common the blood of the covenant that [a] sanctified him, and has insulted the Spirit of grace [who imparts the unmerited favor and blessing of God]? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the deliverance of justice rest with Me], I will repay [the wrongdoer].” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” 31 It is a fearful and terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God [incurring His judgment and wrath].”
Mark 13:13: “You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [ patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved.”
Rom. 11:21: “ for if God did not spare the natural branches [because of unbelief], He will not spare you either. 22 Then appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: to those who fell [into spiritual ruin], severity, but to you, God’s gracious kindness ( if ) you continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him]; otherwise you too will be cut off. “
Yours in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy, Ken<>< www.Trinity-Aloha.org
Worthy Brief <worthybrief@worthynetwork.com> More than 600,000 customers remained without power Wednesday in the Midwest due to the powerful derecho that roared across the region on Monday. Iowa was especially hard hit, as the potent windstorm devastated the state’s power grid and flattened valuable corn fields. The central California county of San Luis Obispo has been declared a sanctuary for churches wanting to hold indoor services with singing amid COVID-19 concerns, the Christian Post reports. County District Attorney Dan Dow confirmed at the end of July that churches will not be prosecuted for going against state coronavirus restrictions on worship gatherings. The Pentagon’s top general in the Middle East warned Wednesday that the U.S. is “going to have huge problems” with a massive Islamic State resurgence over the coming decade without a sweeping new international plan to de-radicalize young men and women across the Middle East.
China Dam getting ready to break: The Stansberry Digest <customerservice@exct.stansberryresearch.com>
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