Tuesday, April 17, 2012

ETERNAL COMFORT

Time with Jesus
Wednesday, 18 April 2012

INTRODUCTION

Backsliding is a serious thing in the life of any Christian. The great danger is that it might become permanent. The letter to the Hebrews highlights this possibility in a sombre and thought-provoking way. To better understand this we need to know why the letter was written in the first place.
The author had an extraordinary knowledge of the background of Hebrew theology and culture. Many have suggested that Paul was the author. But this has not been conclusively established. The letter seems to have been written before the destruction of Jerusalem. Probably in the time of Nero.
Many Jewish men and women were Christian converts. Remaining Jewish had one advantage. The Jewish religion was accepted by the Roman authorities. It was a “legal religion”. This meant they were permitted to worship the one true God without hindrance. Those who converted to Christianity had something of a problem. Christianity was an “illegal religion” and was banned by Rome. For Christians in Rome it became a problem, particularly when the persecution of Christians gathered strength. To be a Christian could mean the loss of everything you possessed. Your wife and children could be killed or sold as slaves for being members of an illegal religion. The prospect for you was much the same.
Jewish Christians soon realised that they could save their family and themselves by going back to Judaism. Their logic was that it was the same God so everything would be fine. The problem arose when they went to the synagogue. They had to publicly deny Jesus Christ in front of the synagogue leaders.
To do this they would have to deny Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself had warned against this. 33 But what about someone who says in front of others that he doesn't know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don't know him. Mat 10:33 NIrV
The letter to the Hebrews makes it clear that to deny Jesus would be to lose Him permanently.  The letter puts it as follows: 26 What if we keep sinning on purpose? What if we do it even after we know the truth? Then there is no offering for our sins. 27 All we can do is to wait in fear for God to judge. His blazing fire will burn up his enemies. Heb 10:26-27 NIrV
We thus see that Hebrews makes it clear. Deny Jesus Christ publicly and you are lost forever. There can be no return. Repentance after this point is impossible!
Now I don’t like this any more than you like it. But I don’t make the rules. I’m just the carrier of the message. If you refuse to believe this, I have no problem with you. Your problem is between you and the Lord!
In view of this, it is easy to see how dangerous it is to backslide. You may go past the point of no return. Is there such a place? Hebrews tells us there is. I’m not able to define it for you or me. It may not be the same for everyone. Much depends on your or my knowledge and attitude. My recommendation is to remain in His love by being faithful. Don’t jeopardise your Kingdom Citizenship through cowardice of fear of the consequences. You may never be able to be restored!
Jim & Phyllida Strickland

DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope,
2 Thess 2:16 NLT
All the same, I'll remember the covenant I made with you when you were young and I'll make a new covenant with you that will last forever.
Ezekiel 16:60 MSG
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14 ESV
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25 ESV
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the One in whom I trust, and I am sure that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until the day of His return.
2 Timothy 1:12 NLT
God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty--never cancelled, never rescinded.
Romans 11:29 MSG
Who can separate us from Christ's love? Can trouble or hard times or harm or hunger? Can nakedness or danger or war?
Romans 8:35 NIrV
The Lamb, who is at the centre of the area around the throne, will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:17 NIrV
Then, together with them, we who are still alive will be taken in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. In this way we will always be with the Lord. So then, comfort each other with these words!
1 Thess 4:17-18 GW
Get up, and go away! This is not a place to rest! It will be destroyed, completely destroyed, because it offends me.
Micah 2:10 GW
For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
Hebrews 13:14 ESV


ETERNAL COMFORT

Why is it that our brothers and sisters in the Lord,
Do not get excited, when they find that He has poured,
His wondrous love upon us? He’s done it lavishly.
It isn’t just a sample He has given you and me.
Perhaps we should be shouting, hip, hip, hip Hooray?
Although I have been told that it is not the Christian way.
But surely it is better than the moaning, which we find.
There’s so much we can celebrate. The Lord has been so kind!
We have eternal comfort with grace and love and hope.
If this does not excite you, then concentrate, don’t mope.
Think about the covenant. It cannot be destroyed.
The Father’s sure to keep it and it will not be void.
Unless you turn your back on Him and go your own sweet way,
He’ll be coming back for you; expect Him any day!
This everlasting covenant was cut when you were young.
Expounded in the finest words that you have ever sung.
Glory Hallelujah, in the very loudest voice,
Is typical for Christians as each of them rejoice.
If you go to prison and find you’re locked up tight.
Concentrate on Jesus and let Him shine His light.
If you are not guilty of any sort of crime,
Use the opportunity to have your quiet time!
Even in the middle of a noise that’s deafening!
There’s your opportunity to let your praises ring!
Ask Him for a gift to use while you are still in jail.
Surely He will give it and it will never fail.
So, what if you’re hungry, naked or at war?
Ask the Lord to tell you what you've been put there for.
Ask for living water. He’ll let you overflow.
Use it as the source of telling everyone you know,
That Jesus Christ will shepherd you and take you to His throne.
Ask them to come with you! Why go there all alone?
Tell them You will meet Him in the clouds up in the sky,
Living in a body that will not ever die.
Here you have no shelter. This place is not your rest.
Give your life to Jesus; you’ll receive His very best.
A mansion in the city. That’s where we will all dwell.
Not in some dark and smelly place; a loveless, painful Hell!
Jim Strickland – Written 18th April 2012



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