The cross of Calvary
I was listening to a pastor on Christian radio who was talking about God’s Grace. Suddenly the Holy Spirit dropped this sentence into my mind. - - The Grace of God is measured by the Worthiness of the Lamb of God - - God’s Grace (Titus 3:5-7) is greater than all my sin because the Worthiness of God’s Lamb (Revelation 5:9,13) far exceeds all my total unworthiness. God measures out His Grace to me in accordance with the pure holy immeasurable Worthiness of the Lamb.
If you are not a Christian please heed this warning – “Kiss the Son (Psalms 2:12) lest He be angry and you perish in the way”. What does that mean? While you are going on your way through life, turn to the Saviour, the Son of God, with repentance and gratitude. Acknowledge Who He is and what He provided through His shed Blood and atoning death on the Cross of Calvary. The holy Son of God hates the sin in you and me, hates the disposition of sin within us. Jesus died for us in order to cleanse away the sin disposition we inherited from Adam and to put within us His own disposition of righteousness. If you refuse, reject and do not receive God’s offer of salvation by Grace the redemption of the slain Lamb, you will live your life (John 3:36) under the anger and wrath of God.
Often in the morning and through the day I ask God this question –Holy, Wonderful, Almighty, Sovereign God, how can You be so transcendent, so awesome in Your holiness, so high up, so far above me and yet, at the same time, be so intimately precious, so near and dear to me moment by moment? I trust God not only for what He can do but also for what He cannot do. He cannot lie, He cannot fail, He cannot break a promise, He cannot forget me, He cannot ever leave me and He cannot stop loving me.
God’s Grace is fueled by His Love which (Galatians 5:1) gives us freedom. Legalism (Galatians 5:6-8) has no love and is the enemy of freedom and tries to control. We are not to try to make others observe the legalistic rules of our bondage. We are no longer under the law and we have been set free to live and enjoy the freedom of new live in Christ. God has given us (1 Timothy 6:17 freely all things to enjoy.
The Source of our Joy and victory is not rules, but our indwelling risen Lord. We will not exploit our freedom into an excuse or loophole for self-indulgence. Not rules – not self – not I but Christ. The glory and victory of God’s Grace is for us to be continually filled and constantly controlled by the Holy Spirit. We must be wise obedient stewards of all God’s precious gifts and always with gratitude.
Salvation is not self-improvement but death to self. If I choose (Matthew 7:14) the narrow road, then I am walking on the King’s Highway. It is a path which narrows all my interests and desires, and motivates me to (Colossians 3:2) focus on things above. If my heart and mind are set on the eternal things of God, my intimacy with the Lord will deepen, I will share His interests and my spiritual riches will increase. The purpose of the Lord Jesus in dying for me, must be my purpose in (1 Corinthians .15:31) dying to self, daily and (Ephesians 4:1) living unto God. Living a life that is worthy of the God Who called me (1 Peter 2:9) out of darkness into His marvelous light.
There is good and valid reason why Christians cannot attend their own funeral/memorial service even if they have planned it in advance. When my lifespan bank account is depleted, my earth visa will immediately expire. Therefore, I will not be allowed to be anywhere on Planet Earth. At the instant my earth visa expires, I will enter into my glorious citizenship in heaven. So, I am listening for the trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). I am listening to hear the voice of Michael, the archangel, and I am longing for our precious beloved Bridegroom, His Coming is certain, because of His victorious suffering, love and glory on His Cross, the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. The forgiveness and redemption we have on earth and all we confidently look forward to in heaven - - all are made possible and available through the Cross, the Gateway between time and eternity.
The Cross is eternity’s Crown.