November 9
Ezek 20:1-49 | PS 107:1-43 | Prov 27:11 | Heb 9:11-28
Yesterday was one of those days that I gave out a bunch of invitations, but each seemed to have their own reason why they weren't ready to follow Jesus yet. Some placed their hopes on the coming election. Others were hurt personally, truly hurt, but sought out earthly solutions for their issues. Another questioned the fairness of God for allowing certain atrocities such as childhood cancer, etc. To each I discussed the love of Jesus, the importance of reading God's love letter, the Bible. The conversations remained pleasant, though I might never know, they didn't seem to take root. Many will state the two things that we can be certain of is death and taxes. But the other thing which is inescapable is judgment. There are no do overs, such as reincarnation. There are no holding stations in which your fate is determined, such as purgatory. There is simply judgment. It will not be up to a court of people or even a court of angels. God is holy and righteous, and He alone, will issue the verdict for each and every one of us. Since He is holy and righteous, only those who are holy and righteous will be ushered into heaven. We don't become holy and righteous based on our works. Only those covered by Jesus' blood will enter. This is a conscious decision made by the individual. Our judgment took place on the cross, and if that is where we placed our sins, and accepted payment, then it is finished, as Jesus said in John 19:30. But for all those who believe they have another way, in their estimate a fairer way, sadly, judgment will indeed come, and it will be too late to change course.
We read in Hebrews 9:27, :"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,". Very straightforward, with no room for alternative opinions. We read in 9:11-12 how Jesus entered the heavenly tabernacle as High Priest offering His own blood for our redemption, and with this we read in 9:15, "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.". This requirement of blood was put forth in the Old Testament, as we read in Leviticus 17:11, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’" There simply is no other way, which is why we read in John 14:6, "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
It has been said if you are born once, you will die twice. But if you are born twice, once physically and again of the Spirit, then you will only die once. For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our accounts have been settled, even though we continue to sin while on this earth. It is not based on our good works, but instead it is based on His perfect work on the cross. Sadly, every unbeliever thinks he/she will plead their case, list their good things, desire the calling of witnesses to verify their goodness. But this is not a human court of law, swayed by human opinion and persuasive arguments. None of us, and I mean none of us have earned eternity in heaven. Those who will point to their religiosity, those rituals performed, all that they gave to their children, etc. will come up short. Even one sin unpaid for by the blood of Jesus is too much. Submit now to His Lordship. Accept His payment. It cost Him much, but it cost us nothing. It really is that easy.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: