The law, grace and truth (24)

Father God, we thank you for Your grace, mercy and goodness concerning our lives. Thank you that the entrance of Your Word brings light. May our hearts lean into the Word as we receive all that You have for us in the name of Jesus, amen. Thank you LORD.

In today's post, we reflect on the neverending and ceaseless mercy of God that is reflected both under the law and under grace in Christ. In Deuteronomy 24:16, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin." The LORD reiterates the same message in Ezekiel 18:20. Often times, we know of sin that passes to different generations but the LORD is also reminding us that He is just, fair, merciful and righteous because if a father or child in a particular generation decides to turn to Him, He will by no means cast them away irrespective of their disobedient predecessors. After the children of Israel entered and were established in the promised land that God gave them, after king David who wholeheartedly followed the LORD, different kings came into power who worshipped idols and led the people astray in their worship and obedience to God's commandments. However, when a king came into power who knew the ways of God and honored His commandments, God's mercy always prevailed towards His people. For example, In 2 Chronicles 29-30, king Hezekiah whose heart was obedient to God's ways restored the days of the passover for both Judah and Israel. However, since it had been many years since the passover was observed, some people ate of it without being cleansed which was contrary to the law. However, king Hezekiah interceded on behalf of the people to the LORD.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20 NKJV;

18.For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone

19.who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.

20.And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people."

Time and time again, God's people rebelled in their hearts, built altars, worshipped gods they made with their hands. Time and time again, God's mercy prevailed whenever His people turned to Him with repentant hearts and followed His ways. Romans 5:20 reminds us of God's mercy, "...that where sin abounded, grace abounded much more."

If God's mercy never ceased under the old covenant, how much more now under the new covenant. The people's rebellion revealed that the law did not have the power to sanctify the hearts of the people to obey God's ways. Romans 5:19 NKJV says, "For as one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."

God sent His Beloved Son Jesus to remind the children of Abraham that whoever would believe on Him would be made free from this bondage of sin. Jesus in John 8:34-35 NKJV says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever." Jesus is the evidence of God's ultimate mercy because God did not want His people to fall in and out of sin so He sent a permanent solution through His Son, Christ so that whoever calls on the name of Jesus would be saved (Romans 10:13) and freely abide in fellowship with God and receive His blessings found in Christ. When you receive Jesus whether you are Jew or Gentile, it is also important to recognize that in addition to your sins being washed away by his blood, you also receive a heart of flesh that is obedient to the Word of the Lord as seen above in Romans 5:19. The LORD says in Hebrews 10:16-17 NKJV "This is the covenant that I will make them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them; then He adds, "Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

I'll end with this Word found in Hebrews 10:12 -13 (NKJV) and it refers to Jesus as the Man

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool."

Amen, thank you LORD.

In order to receive eternal life and the free gift of salvation that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior, please say this prayer with me;

"I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that; Jesus Christ, the Son of God came in a human body to die for my sins so that I could have a new life where I am dead to sin and alive to God. I repent of my past sins and enter the Kingdom of light where I choose relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and with God as my loving Father today and forever. Thank you Father that because the Son has made me free, I am now free indeed." AMEN.

HALLELUJAH, PRAISE GOD! YOU ARE OFFICIALLY REDEEMED. PLEASE FIND A CHURCH AND GET WATER BAPTIZED!