‘when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) *12*he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.’
Hebrews 9:11-12
The new era of Christ means that now, believers in the One true God have; good things, a greater and more perfect form of worship and relationship as well as 'eternal redemption'! Wow!
So, what have we to really be worried about?! Do you, like me, ever get caught up with the trivial worries of this world? In light of the verses above, any concerns we have on Earth don’t really compare, do they? I know things in this world are important, but should they be most important?
Can you imagine if you lived more of your life considering the ‘greater and more perfect’ life Jesus got for you, how your life would be? What concerns would you be free of? What responsibilities would you lay down? How much of your workload would you take home? How much time would you spend in front of the TV or out shopping?
If you believe in God today, and recognise that Jesus is the only way you can be free from sin, if you know that and are determined to live your life with him in it, then do you realise who have ‘an eternal redemption’?
An incredible gift has been given to you, one that will never run out, wear away or go obsolete, it is an everlasting salvation. So, how much time are you paying attention to that in your everyday life? Everything else that consumes our time; work, hobbies, people, expectation, houses, gadgets, even this very bodies, these things will all fade away and die. They will all end, yet we are given something that is more perfect and greater than all these things that will last beyond our earthly years. We are promised complete and utter release from sin. Forever.
How much time do you spend considering this? How often do you even stop to appreciate this absolution from sin?
Jesus has brought your freedom. His own blood was spilled so you can be redeemed. It is an eternal, never-ending, everlasting, continual, redemption. Anything you’ve ever done wrong is covered, anything you’re doing wrong right now is covered, anything you’ll do in the future is covered.
You have an eternal inheritance that you can start enjoying now. If you live in the knowledge of your ‘eternal redemption’ everyday, imagine what your life would be like….
Showing posts with label perfect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label perfect. Show all posts
Thursday, 2 July 2020
Thursday, 18 June 2020
Law v Jesus
In the 7th chapter of Hebrews, we are told that The Law is, ‘set aside because of it’s weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.’ (Verses 18-19) What do you make of that?
This is key for christianity; that the Law - the set of instructions from God that the Jews worked hard to live by - is here referred to as weak, useless and set aside.
To understand the relevance and impact of this, we first need to realise the purpose of The Law.
The Law is an extensive set of instructions given to the Israelites as a standard of perfection that they were to aim to live by in order to make themselves right and acceptable before God. It gives clear guidance about everyday life and sets a clear standard. By doing so it shows the many ways in which we all can offend God and separate ourselves from Him. Even in ways that we have no control over.
The Law also makes clear that we need to make amends for these offences and how we can do that. Every human being that’s ever lived has done something offensive to God - that's why we needed The Law - to show us what was wrong, and how, eventhough we are separating ourselves from God in a myriad of ways, God still yearns for a positive relationship with us. God doesn't want us to be separate from Him, yet we are.
This is the problem.
So, God made a way for mankind to be able to seek and enter His presence - He put together The Law and gave it to us. The Law reminds us not only of the awesomeness of God, how holy and pure He is, but also the standard required by Him. We, then sadly see ourselves in stark contrast to that.
When we read The Law, it doesn't take long to realise that it seems unattainable. Due to our imperfections and sin, it is so easy to see how we do not measure up. We can never be fully righteous according to The Law - there is always the necessity for some restitution requiring an offering to be made, and not a one time offering either, the sacrifices and offerings required are continuous. Every time something comes along to remove us from God's perfect standard, another sacrifice is needed.
Yet, The Law did provide a way to get closer to God.
It gave us a standard to live up to, a manner in which to repent of our wrongs, a way in which to show worship and gratitude to God, but it never completely made up for our iniquities. There was always the need for more sacrifice. Every time we sin, another sacrifice is required, every time we become impure, another offering needed.
The Law, as incredibly prescriptive and clear as it is, still does not allow us to obtain full perfection or full restoration with God. It does supply a temporary fix, but the offerings need to be repeatedly given and the rules constantly obeyed. Even then, humanity could still not attain complete perfection or holiness.
Therefore the Law is weak and useless.
It cannot repair what we have broken, it cannot put together God and mankind as they were intentioned to be at the beginning of creation. Therefore, even in it’s complexity and thoroughness, the Law is weak. The Law is useless at providing an eternal solution to the problem of sin separating us from the holiness of God.
Thank God for Jesus!
Now, because of the perfect son, the perfect, holy, and pure sacrifice of Jesus, we can realise that, ‘a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.’
Wow!
We now can, ‘draw near to God’.
All because of Jesus!!
The Law no longer has the power to separate us from God. When we put our hope and trust in Jesus; perfect, pure, Jesus, who offered his own life as the unblemished, holy sacrifice to atone for all of our weakness and sin; He makes a way for us to be made perfect in the eyes of God. He has restored the relationship between us and God forever. Nothing can diminish or destroy what Jesus has done. Jesus sacrifice is the once and for all sacrifice that was needed. Jesus has achieved what we, and The Law could never attain - He has brought about the hope that we can draw near to God!
This is key for christianity; that the Law - the set of instructions from God that the Jews worked hard to live by - is here referred to as weak, useless and set aside.
To understand the relevance and impact of this, we first need to realise the purpose of The Law.
The Law is an extensive set of instructions given to the Israelites as a standard of perfection that they were to aim to live by in order to make themselves right and acceptable before God. It gives clear guidance about everyday life and sets a clear standard. By doing so it shows the many ways in which we all can offend God and separate ourselves from Him. Even in ways that we have no control over.
The Law also makes clear that we need to make amends for these offences and how we can do that. Every human being that’s ever lived has done something offensive to God - that's why we needed The Law - to show us what was wrong, and how, eventhough we are separating ourselves from God in a myriad of ways, God still yearns for a positive relationship with us. God doesn't want us to be separate from Him, yet we are.
This is the problem.
So, God made a way for mankind to be able to seek and enter His presence - He put together The Law and gave it to us. The Law reminds us not only of the awesomeness of God, how holy and pure He is, but also the standard required by Him. We, then sadly see ourselves in stark contrast to that.
When we read The Law, it doesn't take long to realise that it seems unattainable. Due to our imperfections and sin, it is so easy to see how we do not measure up. We can never be fully righteous according to The Law - there is always the necessity for some restitution requiring an offering to be made, and not a one time offering either, the sacrifices and offerings required are continuous. Every time something comes along to remove us from God's perfect standard, another sacrifice is needed.
Yet, The Law did provide a way to get closer to God.
It gave us a standard to live up to, a manner in which to repent of our wrongs, a way in which to show worship and gratitude to God, but it never completely made up for our iniquities. There was always the need for more sacrifice. Every time we sin, another sacrifice is required, every time we become impure, another offering needed.
The Law, as incredibly prescriptive and clear as it is, still does not allow us to obtain full perfection or full restoration with God. It does supply a temporary fix, but the offerings need to be repeatedly given and the rules constantly obeyed. Even then, humanity could still not attain complete perfection or holiness.
Therefore the Law is weak and useless.
It cannot repair what we have broken, it cannot put together God and mankind as they were intentioned to be at the beginning of creation. Therefore, even in it’s complexity and thoroughness, the Law is weak. The Law is useless at providing an eternal solution to the problem of sin separating us from the holiness of God.
Thank God for Jesus!
Now, because of the perfect son, the perfect, holy, and pure sacrifice of Jesus, we can realise that, ‘a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.’
Wow!
We now can, ‘draw near to God’.
All because of Jesus!!
The Law no longer has the power to separate us from God. When we put our hope and trust in Jesus; perfect, pure, Jesus, who offered his own life as the unblemished, holy sacrifice to atone for all of our weakness and sin; He makes a way for us to be made perfect in the eyes of God. He has restored the relationship between us and God forever. Nothing can diminish or destroy what Jesus has done. Jesus sacrifice is the once and for all sacrifice that was needed. Jesus has achieved what we, and The Law could never attain - He has brought about the hope that we can draw near to God!
Thursday, 28 May 2020
obedience
'In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. *8*Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. *9*And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him'
Hebrews 5:7–9.
I think these verses are a beautiful demonstration of Jesus humanity.
Just look at the experience of Jesus - at times, he became so distressed that he prayed with ‘cries and tears’. He called out to God and petitioned Him for things. Jesus felt his own weakness, distress and trouble. Do you ever feel like that? And feel like there’s nothing else to do but cry to God? Jesus, the very son of God, also felt the same.
He recognised that he needed help, and that there were parts to human life he didn’t like, so he called out to God. He cried out to the one he knew could change things, he shed tears in front of God, and even asked for things that his own humanity wanted. Jesus even asked for his situation to change - that he wouldn’t have to be tortured and crucified, he asked to be released from suffering and pain - don’t we all do the same at times? We all want relief not pain. Jesus had the same inclinations. So, he asked God for a way out - he didn’t get it, but he asked. Jesus, even though he poured out his fears and longings to God, he continued to hold God in reverence - he didn’t shake his fist at God and blame Him for his situation, but he requested assistance and demonstrated incredible obedience and faith. Jesus understood that God, ‘was able’ to change the outcome, yet Jesus also submitted to whatever it was that God wanted even when it was different to his own desires.
Jesus remained obedient. Even when his desires were not fulfilled, even when he knew he couldn’t escape the pain that was coming, he still did what he knew was right and what God wanted.
In fact, these verses state, ‘he learned obedience through what he suffered’.
Jesus grow in understanding, knowledge and obedience. Jesus had to learn these things, just like we do. Jesus learnt how to be obedient, and what better way for obedience to be tested than through adversity. It’s easy to be obedient when we are asked to do things we want to do, it’s when we are asked to do things we don’t want to do that our obedience, relationships and loyalty are tested. Jesus experienced the same. He had to learn to be obedient.
Jesus had to learn and grow like we all do. He also
had to suffer pain like we do.
How wonderful that our God has had the same experience of living this human life, he was just like us. He did not escape feeling sad or happy, lonely or crowded, comforted or in pain.
Jesus lived in such a way that demonstrated his humanity, obedience and godliness. The result of all this was that Jesus was, ‘being made perfect’. That could only happen through him learning obedience through suffering.
So, next time you enter a situation of suffering, don’t despair. Know that, like Jesus, this is a time for you to learn obedience and that through the experience you are, ‘being made perfect’.
Hebrews 5:7–9.
I think these verses are a beautiful demonstration of Jesus humanity.
Just look at the experience of Jesus - at times, he became so distressed that he prayed with ‘cries and tears’. He called out to God and petitioned Him for things. Jesus felt his own weakness, distress and trouble. Do you ever feel like that? And feel like there’s nothing else to do but cry to God? Jesus, the very son of God, also felt the same.
He recognised that he needed help, and that there were parts to human life he didn’t like, so he called out to God. He cried out to the one he knew could change things, he shed tears in front of God, and even asked for things that his own humanity wanted. Jesus even asked for his situation to change - that he wouldn’t have to be tortured and crucified, he asked to be released from suffering and pain - don’t we all do the same at times? We all want relief not pain. Jesus had the same inclinations. So, he asked God for a way out - he didn’t get it, but he asked. Jesus, even though he poured out his fears and longings to God, he continued to hold God in reverence - he didn’t shake his fist at God and blame Him for his situation, but he requested assistance and demonstrated incredible obedience and faith. Jesus understood that God, ‘was able’ to change the outcome, yet Jesus also submitted to whatever it was that God wanted even when it was different to his own desires.
Jesus remained obedient. Even when his desires were not fulfilled, even when he knew he couldn’t escape the pain that was coming, he still did what he knew was right and what God wanted.
In fact, these verses state, ‘he learned obedience through what he suffered’.
Jesus grow in understanding, knowledge and obedience. Jesus had to learn these things, just like we do. Jesus learnt how to be obedient, and what better way for obedience to be tested than through adversity. It’s easy to be obedient when we are asked to do things we want to do, it’s when we are asked to do things we don’t want to do that our obedience, relationships and loyalty are tested. Jesus experienced the same. He had to learn to be obedient.
Jesus had to learn and grow like we all do. He also
had to suffer pain like we do.
How wonderful that our God has had the same experience of living this human life, he was just like us. He did not escape feeling sad or happy, lonely or crowded, comforted or in pain.
Jesus lived in such a way that demonstrated his humanity, obedience and godliness. The result of all this was that Jesus was, ‘being made perfect’. That could only happen through him learning obedience through suffering.
So, next time you enter a situation of suffering, don’t despair. Know that, like Jesus, this is a time for you to learn obedience and that through the experience you are, ‘being made perfect’.
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