This Wonderful Salvation!

Scripture Text: Acts 2:1-4, 37-39; 4:12; Romans 6:1-6

REPENTANCE, in OT typeology, equates with the Brazen Altar... (Jesus' Death/Calvary).

BAPTISM follows suit, equating with the Brazen Laver... (Jesus' Burial). [Note that in Judaism, the Mikveh involves total immersion of the physical (outer)... body.]

HOLY SPIRIT INFILLING, follows the high priest past the Vail, into the Holy of Holies, and the Ark of the Covenant... (Jesus' Resurrection, which changed everything. His Body, now a glorified body, had all power. Where He had been with men [physically], He would now be IN men (a spiritual rebirth)! Through the Holy Ghost outpoured, true resurrection was now possible. Old things passed away - Behold! All things become new!

During the times of Aaronic, high priestly ministry, the people waited outside the tabernacle/temple for the high priest to finish his ministrations and return to the people - his return was evidence their obedient sacrifice (atonement) had been accepted.

As he emerged, the people, (who, while they were waiting, had prostrated themselves before the Lord,) and the high priest began to worship and celebrate. (See II Chron. 7:1-2.)

The Shekinah power that fell that day, (in II Chronicles 7,) meant (was evidence) that God had placed HIS seal of approval on the completed construction of the physical temple - a building made with hands.

Compare this celebration in II Chronicles 7:1-2 with what happened in Acts 2:1-4, and catch a glimpse of why God chose tongues (Isaiah 28:11) as evidence signifying HIS acceptance of obedient faith (John 7:38). Our outward obedience (Us in HIM) (See John 14:15-18, 21.) receives HIS seal of approval/acceptance (HIM IN us). (See John 14:20, 26; 15:4-5.)

GOD’s goal, from the outset, has been to build HIS home in the HEART of men and women (the spiritual/inner man). (See Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; also Numbers 11:24-29.) This “temple” is not a physical building made by human hands. HE has always desired to build HIS Throne in the heart of man (John 4:23-24). It is this “temple” that receives the confirmation (evidence) HE promised! (See Acts 10:1-6, 44-48; 19:1-6.)

What's Ahead?

2010 - Here we come! No going back; no redoing any part of 2009. It's history, back there, the book is closed. Its joys, its pain, its heartaches, its victories, its defeats and failures - they're all tucked inside of the volume labeled 2009. There is only one way to deal with what's back there. "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) Get it under the blood!

If you've failed - repent. If you've been hurt - forgive. If you've won a great victory - celebrate - but keep pressing on. Consign all the messes and mix-ups to "back there." Not only is 2010 a new year, it's a gift of unused minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months. What's more, it's a golden opportunity to start fresh and get it right this time.

In each new year we find a reminder of the precious promise... "Come now, let us reason together saith the Lord, Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be a white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18) One of the most precious gifts God gives to men is a new heart to replace the old stony one, a transformed mind, a new creation, "a new man walking in my shoes." This is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's Salvation's hope!

What's ahead? I don't know. I cannot tell anyone what 2010 will bring.

We see uncertainty all around us. Turmoil and questions abound. Humanity's best minds offer flawed and incomplete quick-fixes. Sin and sinful men run rampant. Insane busy-ness crowds our lives with competing demands, vying voices, persuading spirits and a constant push for more... but this one thing is sure. The Word of God contains promises that have the power to hold us in this chaotic world and these tumultuous days.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

"And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)

"Lord, keep my soul from day to day,

Under the blood, under the blood;

Keep doubt and fear and sin away,

Under the precious blood.

I'm under the blood, the precious blood,

Under the cleansing, healing flood;

Keep me Savior from day to day,

Under the precious blood!"

Come!

Come - bring all your doubt and fear,

Come - He's calling you to hear,

Come - leave all your wasted years;

Come to Jesus - Come!

Come - says the Spirit,

Come - says the Bride,

Come - if you're thirsty -

You won't be denied;

Come - come today,

Come - don't delay,

Come to Jesus - Come!

Come - Repent your sin and shame,

Come - Be Baptized in Jesus' Name,

Come - Be filled with Holy Ghost flame;

Come to Jesus - Come!

Come - Salvation's full and free,

Come - to life abundantly,

Come - to glorious liberty;

Come to Jesus - Come!

Come - to joy and righteousness,

Come - to peace and holiness,

Come - to life forever blessed,

Come to Jesus - Come!

by mjkinnee
Sept. 6, 2009

Cubism... in a Round World

God has always made a practice of calling people out of the present world and its system and showing them a new and better way – one that leads to everlasting life. But His order and purpose runs counter to human wisdom. His perspective is the whole. He knows the end from the beginning. He works, shapes, molds and creates. He doesn’t fit into human molds. His Kingdom is not of this world. His promises include a future where He will be King of kings and Lord of lords. He has prepared a place – a city foursquare, where there is no night, no sun, no sickness, death, sorrow or pain, no sin, and where the riches of this earth are mere paving stones and building blocks.

This world is in a constant struggle to conform, to press, to force, to extrude your soul into their ideals, through their molds, and into their image. Their image is round, easily diffused. It morphs readily into ever lower forms, its tendency is to seek its lowest level. Blur any thought of breaking out of the mold. Hold the soul hostage to addictions, chains of habit, guilt, shame, traditions of men, and popular opinion. When all else fails, promote procrastination, second guessing and wavering. These are as effective as any physical lock in keeping one running in circles. Just as the physical world is round, so the flesh’s one thought is to conform to its dusty origins... circular, round and round, ever spiraling downward.

On the other hand – that which is born of the Spirit is transformed – into the image of His dear Son. It becomes a new creature. Old things pass away. Behold! All things become new! Now comes a clean slate, a new and lively hope, a new man, a new life, a new future. Called out of darkness, into marvelous light, free from the chains of sin, empowered to live a life of victory and to overcome this present world and all its shimmering illusions. This new man begins to realize he no longer fits into his old life. What you’ve found is worth way more than mere coin of the realm which is round like the world from which it comes. Life takes on new, heavenly shape; prune, purge, crucify – as the old gives way to a new dimension. What He is cutting away would interfere with your fit in the place He has prepared. Everything is different there – different weather, different economy, different shape, different dynamic – nothing of the old rules, the old mindset, the old life carries forward into that City built foursquare.

What’s more, your old life is also aware of the change. Old friends exert pressure. "You’ve changed!" they complain, "You’ve become so square, I don’t know you any more. Come on, loosen up a little!" What you need to know is that it’s a test. They want to know if you’re for real. God wants to help you firm up your confidence and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you’ve traded temporary, ephemeral, shadowy things for a substantial foundation and a sure footing – shifting sand for the Rock of Ages – hope in this life only for an everlasting, eternal, lively hope; one that anchors you to that Rock, which is Christ Jesus. He has called you out of a world headed for destruction and given you a new home, a new life, new goals, new purpose, a new way of thinking and living. He’s preparing you for the place He’s already prepared for you! His promise is that He will be with you always and assured you that He has already overcome the world. He also gives you the strength you’ll need so you can overcome it too. Nothing has been left to chance. You can make it... you have His Word on it!

Catch a glimpse of the promise on the horizon. The transformation is taking place even now. You are growing into the image of His resurrection. Just as earthly bonds could not hold Him, so bars of bone will not be able to hold your soul. Very soon now, the trump of God will sound and "the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord!" (I Thessalonians 4:16-17) "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!" (I John 3:2)

"And the City [our destination] lieth foursquare..."
(See Revelation 21:10-22:5.)

Praise the Lord!

Amen!

Hallelujah!

All Power, Glory and Majesty belong to You, O God!
You alone are worthy – Your grace is shed abroad;
You’re good, O Lord, and great – and greatly to be praised.
While gazing on Your mighty works so wondrous, I’m amazed!

I watch the eagle soar, hear the wind and the sparrow sing,
I hold the hand of a tiny child; breathe in the air of spring.
I watch in awe as a sinner, bound, repents and is baptized,
In Jesus’ Name, he finds new life as Your Spirit moves inside.

He speaks and acts and thinks in ways he never thought before,
He walks and talks – a whole new life – with pleasures evermore.
But best of all this change is not to here and now confined,
Oh No! this joy’s eternal – Your Life and his – entwined!

While gazing on Your mighty works so wondrous, I'm amazed!
You're good, O Lord, and great - and greatly to be praised.
You alone are worthy - Your grace is shed abroad:
All Power, Glory and Majesty belong to You, O God!


Hallelujah!

Amen!

Praise the Lord!

~ by mjkinnee


Note:

Composed this today in response to a devotional exhortation,

entitled, "Praise the Lord!", written yesterday, June 18, 2008,

by Rev. Rufus Parker, UPCI Missionary to Okinawa.

You Must Be Born Again!

In John, chapter 3, Nicodemus, the Jewish ruler, came to Jesus by night to ask some questions. Jesus went right to the heart of the matter, saying, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

Nicodemus was confused, thinking, “It’s impossible to re-enter my mother's womb and be born again!” But Jesus was not talking about a natural birth. He said it again. “Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, you must be born again.” (John 3:5-7)

The deepest, most profound truths are contained in the Bible. Often, they are tucked away in simpler messages, but every word is carefully chosen. When God is speaking, we need to understand exactly what He is saying. The Word of God (the Bible) is eternal and that means forever. (Psalm 118:89) We cannot afford to make a mistake. For a mistake in understanding and in obeying the Word of God is a mistake for eternity.

Jesus used the simple, easy to understand illustration of the birth of a baby to explain the importance of truly being born again. At the birth of a baby, the water in which he has been immersed for nine months gives way for him to enter into the world. However, it is not a “live birth” until that first breath of life enters his lungs. We hear him cry out as he draws that first breath and rejoice. Here’s the underlying truth. Nicodemus needed to know (and so do we,) that just as both water and spirit must be present in natural birth, so both water, (baptism in Jesus' Name by immersion,) and the Spirit (receiving the Holy Ghost - evidenced by speaking in other tongues - crying out) must be present in the New Birth experience. (See Acts 2:38; 8:15-17; 10:44-48; 19:1-7.)

The Apostle Paul explained the New Birth experience as being identified with what Christ accomplished at Calvary. (See Romans 6:1-5.) He described salvation’s three key components; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

First, Jesus died. He who had no sin, took your sins, my sins, the sins of all mankind upon Himself. This was not an easy thing. It involved intense sorrow and suffering. And He did it all “while we were yet sinners” (Romans 5:8) “He endured the cross, despising the shame - for the joy that was set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) He suffered willingly, knowing that by doing so He was making a way for us to live with Him throughout eternity. He loved us that much! In repentance, we forsake (“die to”) sin; we “nail” our sins to His cross. This is not something we do lightly. It is important that we understand how much He loved us when He gave Himself for us. True godly sorrow for our sins works godly repentance.

Second, Jesus was buried. Sorrowful, grieving disciples took His body down from the cross and laid it in a borrowed tomb. All the sins He bore while hanging on that tree, were buried with Him and for three days and nights His body lay in that tomb. In baptism in Jesus' Name, we are buried with Him. Our old sinful nature is covered with His blood and our sins are remitted. The price is paid, sin's penalty is dealt with and we come up out of the water as a new creature in Christ Jesus - clean and ready to be transformed into His image. But it doesn’t stop there. Remember, the New Birth is both water and Spirit...

Third, like as Christ was raised up from the dead, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Resurrection power is at work in us as the Holy Spirit fills us from the inside. It wells up like rivers of living water (John 7:38-39) and flows out of our innermost being. Like newborn babies, we too cry out, speaking in the language of our heavenly home (Galatians 4:6). And like in the natural birth process, the Bible tells us all heaven joins with us in celebrating and rejoicing (Luke 15:7).

The prophet Joel spoke, saying, “In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh... and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy... and it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:16-21) It’s important to be sure about your salvation. In order to enter into the Kingdom of God and be part of the New Testament church...

You must be born again!