The scripture above reveals a basic truth of God's order--only the pure in heart can fellowship with God. Despite what you may have been taught, may have heard, or may have ascertained by your own thoughts, purity is essential to salvation. However, we cannot obtain purity by way of ourselves, for it is certain that "we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6).
...And what does that mean?
Most of my upbringing was in the South. If any be familiar with southern tradition, the same should know that manners and etiquette are of great importance. Surely, we say our "Pleases" and "Thank Yous". My mother and father raised me to be an honest man-- a man of dignity. They also taught me the value of hard work and how to be a respectable human being in general.
However, God is not impressed with any of those things for "there is no respect of persons with God" (Romans 2:11). It does not matter how nice of person I am; it does not matter how many people I've positively impacted in my community; it does not matter what type of moral code I uphold or where I'm from-- if I have not been washed by the Blood of Jesus, I cannot and will not see God.
However, God is not impressed with any of those things for "there is no respect of persons with God" (Romans 2:11). It does not matter how nice of person I am; it does not matter how many people I've positively impacted in my community; it does not matter what type of moral code I uphold or where I'm from-- if I have not been washed by the Blood of Jesus, I cannot and will not see God.
The Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Many sing the songs of redemption, but few know the power behind the Death, Burial and Resurrection of the one and only Lord Jesus Christ.
When Adam sinned against God, humanity was then separated from fellowship with God. As a result, humanity had no hope from the judgment of God, "for the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23).
However, there is good news. God had a plan in order to redeem that which was lost, for as the scriptures say "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
When Adam sinned against God, humanity was then separated from fellowship with God. As a result, humanity had no hope from the judgment of God, "for the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23).
However, there is good news. God had a plan in order to redeem that which was lost, for as the scriptures say "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
Why the blood?
Before I came to know Jesus Christ, I use to ask myself this question. In my ignorance, songs such as "Nothing but the Blood" seemed to be bizarre and offensive. I remember sitting in church not understand why everyone was singing about blood--indeed I was rather repulsed.
However, years later, God answered this question for me. It occurred to me that as much as I was repulsed by the blood of Jesus, how much more is Jesus repulsed by the sins of the world.
Like ungrateful children, we've turn away from Jesus.
Despite our ungratefulness, however, He desires that we would discover the "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:19)
Ephesians 2:12 says:
12. remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Without the Blood of Jesus, There is no Hope.
However, years later, God answered this question for me. It occurred to me that as much as I was repulsed by the blood of Jesus, how much more is Jesus repulsed by the sins of the world.
Like ungrateful children, we've turn away from Jesus.
Despite our ungratefulness, however, He desires that we would discover the "love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God" (Ephesians 3:19)
Ephesians 2:12 says:
12. remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
Without the Blood of Jesus, There is no Hope.
Applying the blood: identifying with Christ thru the Death, Burial, and Resurrection
So now professing the plan of Salvation through Jesus Christ according to Acts 2:38:
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"
To repent is to identify with Jesus' death. When we ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins, we are allowing our old sinful person to die.
To be baptized in the Name of Jesus is to identify with Jesus' burial. Anything that is now dead, must be buried. To be baptized means to be fully immersed in water, in the name of Jesus for the removal of your sins.
To receive the Holy Spirit is to live again-- to be Resurrected with Christ [Acts 2:1-4]
1.When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [languages] as the Spirit enabled them.
To be baptized in the Name of Jesus is to identify with Jesus' burial. Anything that is now dead, must be buried. To be baptized means to be fully immersed in water, in the name of Jesus for the removal of your sins.
To receive the Holy Spirit is to live again-- to be Resurrected with Christ [Acts 2:1-4]
1.When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
4. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues [languages] as the Spirit enabled them.
Receive the Gift of God
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". Like any other gift, we can either receive or reject the Gift of Salvation. It is my prayer that you receive the Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless You,
--Tre Michael
God Bless You,
--Tre Michael