June 5, 2014
It is a done deal. And, it’s better than an honest handshake, or a ream of signed legal papers. It’s signed, sealed, and delivered once and for all.
“For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9.24-28)
Under the old Law covenant, a priest was required to continually offer animal sacrifices for human sin. But, the perfect Son of God offered His life as a sacrifice once and for all, at the right time, according to the perfect plan of God. It’s the ultimate done deal. As such, it frees is from the endless cycle of offering animal sacrifices for the ongoing sin problem we all have. We’ve been set free for higher priorities. Our focus is on the fact that He will “appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Freed from the problem of sin, we can focus on eagerly awaiting His return.
Lest we think we are liberated to twiddle our thumbs with an eye on the sky, this eager awaiting involves deliberate effort and focus. It means we take discipline seriously. Prayer and Bible study are pressing priorities. Compassion and love for the lost move us in evangelism and disciple-making. Spiritual battle against our enemy and his forces are not taken lightly.
I love the story of the little girl who had heard about Jesus’ Second Coming. She asked her mother if He could possibly return that day. Probing further her mother’s affirmative answer, she wondered if He could return within the hour, and even within the next minute. Convinced of the possibility of His imminent return, she asked her mother to comb her hair in preparation. If we believe, in childlike innocence, that Jesus’ return is imminent, then we make important preparations. The uncertainty of life factors in to the sense of immanency, and so thus important preparation is imperative. We have this moment to prepare. Are you living your life in such a way that His return is cause for excitement and eager expectation? Or, is there unfinished business that causes you fear and hesitation? This is the moment to take action, while you can.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” (Hebrews 9.24-28)
Under the old Law covenant, a priest was required to continually offer animal sacrifices for human sin. But, the perfect Son of God offered His life as a sacrifice once and for all, at the right time, according to the perfect plan of God. It’s the ultimate done deal. As such, it frees is from the endless cycle of offering animal sacrifices for the ongoing sin problem we all have. We’ve been set free for higher priorities. Our focus is on the fact that He will “appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.” Freed from the problem of sin, we can focus on eagerly awaiting His return.
Lest we think we are liberated to twiddle our thumbs with an eye on the sky, this eager awaiting involves deliberate effort and focus. It means we take discipline seriously. Prayer and Bible study are pressing priorities. Compassion and love for the lost move us in evangelism and disciple-making. Spiritual battle against our enemy and his forces are not taken lightly.
I love the story of the little girl who had heard about Jesus’ Second Coming. She asked her mother if He could possibly return that day. Probing further her mother’s affirmative answer, she wondered if He could return within the hour, and even within the next minute. Convinced of the possibility of His imminent return, she asked her mother to comb her hair in preparation. If we believe, in childlike innocence, that Jesus’ return is imminent, then we make important preparations. The uncertainty of life factors in to the sense of immanency, and so thus important preparation is imperative. We have this moment to prepare. Are you living your life in such a way that His return is cause for excitement and eager expectation? Or, is there unfinished business that causes you fear and hesitation? This is the moment to take action, while you can.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:11 AM
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