I have purchased several homes in my lifetime. The process is somewhat complex – negotiation, coming to terms, making a contract, signing the documents, getting them approved by proper authorities, and finally delivering them at closing to finish the deal. Only then can the purchaser take possession of the house she selected for purchase some weeks or months prior. From experience I can attest to that great feeling of walking into a house and breathing a sigh of relief at the end of the long process. “It’s finally ours!”
Let’s talk about our heavenly home, our eternal destiny, our great salvation. In short, it’s ‘signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered!’ A passage in Hebrews seems to be a garble of tenses, but the Spirit inspired it to remind us that our right relationship with God is a done deal. When Jesus Christ, our High Priest, went to the Cross, He "offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Hebrews 10:12-15, NIV) He completed the work that assures us of God’s acceptance. Does that mean there is nothing for us to do, to experience?
The rest of the passage reminds us that though He has ‘made us perfect’ (complete) there remains a process of becoming holy, useful and pleasing to God, that is being worked out in us every day. There is no need for apprehension at that fact. It is true that if we focus on ourselves we will see how much is left to do, the flaws, failures, and sins. But, we remember that even though He completed the work of salvation our experience on this side of Heaven very much incomplete.
So we must look to the Cross for our hope and trust fully. The covenant is made. God says “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts so they will understand them, and I will write them on their minds so they will obey them.” Then he adds, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” Now when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices." (Hebrews 10:16-18, NLT)
Christian, do you trust the LORD with your life, your soul, your destiny?
Do not fall into the trap of attempting to play ‘Let’s Make A Deal’ with God, hoping that by being good enough, praying enough, saying enough religious things – that you can find His acceptance and gain His favor. You cannot buy God’s love. You cannot earn a place at His table. You trust Him, believing His Word, and He ‘credits’ your account.
The model of that faith is Abraham. "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:2-5, NIV)
What freedom we find when that revelation gains traction in our spirit. No, it does not release us from responsibility to live a holy life. His grace does not exempt us from the harvest of acts of disobedience. That is why we continue to work out the implications of His salvation in daily life. But, at the foundation of our relationship with God is faith, not hard work!
Today, whether you are 4, 14, 54, or 84 – remember to trust Christ Jesus. Lean into eternity, fully assured that this life is but the prologue of that "real and eternal life, more and better life” (John 10:10, The Message) which has been signed, sealed, and ready to be delivered – paid in full by the gift of grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We believe, God loves, and He becomes, as He promised Abraham, "your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1, NIV)
The word from the Word reviews the passage I quoted previously. Meditate on this, with faith taking the assurance given here. "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." (Hebrews 10:12-14, NIV)
(Video of this blog at this link)
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My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In ev'ry high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
His oath His covenant His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay
When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne
William Batchelder Bradbury
© Words: Public Domain
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