The law, grace and truth (27)

Abba Father, thank you for this is the day that You have made, as the redeemed of the LORD we are glad and rejoice in it. Thank you Father for the blood of Jesus Christ that speaks greater things on behalf of Your sons and daughters and has cleansed their conscience from dead works so that they can serve You. We give you all the glory and praise in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

Today's lead Word is from Ephesians 2:4-5 NKJV

"4.But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5.even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),"

Amen, thank you LORD.

The law provided by the LORD God through Moses was and still is good. At the same time, the law as much as it was good, it was not helpful for the flesh. Romans 3:20 helps to shade some light on this and the Word says, "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Deuteronomy 28 is a good example that shows us the blessings that came upon God's people when they walked in obedience and the curses that would fall upon them when they transgressed the commandments. It is important to note that when the law was given, God's people who received it were fully able to comply with it because God would not require them to obey the law if it was not in their ability to do so. At the same time, as much as the law was good, the blood of bulls and goats could not cleanse the people from sin and the weakness of the flesh.

So God, the Father sends His Son, Christ. Jesus Christ is the evidence of the Father that the wrath of God is no more. Wrath is now covered by God's love. As a result of God's love, the curse of the law is broken and Galatians 3:13 NKJV says, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"). So in this day, today, we see the love of God found in Christ is continually reigning and has revoked the curse.

Often times, Apostle Paul encouraged the early church in his letters which includes us as well to walk in love especially where it would cause another believer to stumble. For instance, when some of the early converts and Jews thought their actions would give them good standing with God, Galatians 5:6 tells us, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." I believe it is safe to say that Apostle Paul's life was mirroring God's love of Christ in him.

In addition, in 1 Corinthians 9:21 NKJV says, "to those who are without the law, as without the law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;" - In this Scripture, Apostle Paul is introducing a new conversation where the Gentiles who may not have the law are still not exempt from the consequences of sin and the weakness of the flesh. Romans 2:12 tells us, "For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law." For we see then that Jesus died not only for the Jews but for the sin of the whole world (John 3:16).

This intersects with another facet of God's love that introduces us to a different type of circumcision which is of the heart. Romans 2:29 NKJV tells us, "but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from man but from God." This circumcision of the heart enables one to walk in God's ways and do His will from the heart with the understanding of God's love for them. When you receive and understand God's love for you wholeheartedly, you will naturally desire to please Him and walk in His ways.

The law also shows us that circumcision of the heart is not something new as this has always been God's heart from the beginning. Deuteronomy 30:6 NKJV says, "And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." This verse also shows us two things that the love we have for God is not self engineered, it is a love that God by His power personally does in our hearts by spiritually circumcising whatever would draw us away from His love, obedience and back into His merciful arms. As a result, this love we know and feel towards God is because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the circumcision of the heart to love You and please You. Thank you Father that because of Christ, wrath has been cancelled out over your sons and daughters because they are born out of love. Thank you Father that Your love reigns in their lives. Keep them in Your love in the name of Jesus, Amen. Thank you LORD.

I'll end with this verse found in Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV and the LORD says to you;

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart."

Amen, thank you LORD.

Invitation to salvation: Today, God is still pursuing His people in love. In fact, God loves you so much that He had to send Jesus Christ His Son to die for Your sin (John 3:16). When Jesus died on the cross, an exchange happened where in His painful crucifixion, He bore all your sin, wrongs, shortcomings, iniquity, mistakes, diseases, depression. Jesus took it all so you do not have to bear them and this is the reason when you receive Him, you are whole, healthy, complete in Him and reconciled in relationship with God, the Father now until eternity. If this sounds like you:

Please say this prayer;

"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.

NOW REJOICE, THE LORD HAS REDEEMED YOU!