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Monday, December
22, 2008
Christ Is The End
Revelation 1:8-9 I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which
is to come, the Almighty. (9) I John, who also am your brother, and
companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,
was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the
testimony of Jesus Christ. (KJV)
Beginning and ending; similar to the
author and finisher of our faith. Once one begins a new life in the Spirit
something else has to come to an end in order to continue in this realm,
that being, our own works. A lifestyle you thought would bring you closer
to the Lord in your past, based on outward religious works for the most
part, has come to a halt because you now realize that someone else has
accomplished the good and perfect work that was needed to provide you
access into the kingdom of God. So have you truly ceased from your own
works and entered into the Lord’s rest knowing that your salvation is a lot
more secure in His hands rather than anything you could try to accomplish?
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire
and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear
them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
(3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one that believeth. (KJV)
Actually, what we see Paul describing
back in his time is quite similar to what we see taking place today;
substitute the word ‘Israel’ with religion or religious organizations.
People today still think they need to do some ritual in order to be in good
standing with God rather than realizing that someone else has already
fulfilled the law for them, and that our good standing with God is now by
faith and not of works. Christ is that end, the end of that old law; things
based on the outward are now replaced with an inward law of faith, by which
we are able to draw near to God. The key to these verses is, this only
applies to those that believe, thus why we still see so many that still
hang onto the works of the old law like a lifeline, a just in case
attitude. The problem is that you need to find out who or what that
lifeline is attached to, because the enemy is willing to throw one your way
also which is tied to a millstone.
1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me
not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest
the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (18) For the preaching
of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are
saved it is the power of God. (KJV)
Paul did baptize for a season; he then
came to the realization that his walk with Christ was not based on works
but on faith, period. In fact once again we see that by hanging onto these
dead works it took away from the simplicity of the gospel, making it of no
effect. It is really that simple folks, you put away the works of the old
law, water baptisms, circumcisions, or any other outward rituals, and that
is when you will find the new life that is hidden in Christ, located in a
realm few tap into, that being a spiritual one. It all comes down to one
simple word ‘believe’; believing that Jesus Christ did a complete work on
your behalf and that God accepted His sacrifice for mankind, restoring the
fellowship once again between us. Those that continue to hold to outward
rituals are basically telling God that His Son did not finish the work, and
that there is more that needs to be accomplished, oops.
Galatians 2:16-19 Knowing that a man is
not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ,
even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the
faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the
law shall no flesh be justified. (17) But if, while we seek to be justified
by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the
minister of sin? God forbid. (18) For if I build again the things which I
destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (19) For I through the law am dead
to the law, that I might live unto God. (KJV)
Have you ever given thought to the fact
that those that are still holding to the old law and its rituals are in
transgression, abiding in sin? We see many that stand in the pulpit and
preach against the works of the flesh and how it manifests, and yet they
themselves are still embracing sin by hanging onto dead rituals; talk about
being duped and sucker punched. Take note of verse 19, because in order to
live unto God you have to die and put an end to something, and that would
be the old law. The old law could never do away with sin, just cover it for
a season; that is why they had to continually do sacrifices over and over
again, because it just wasn’t complete. Now that you have access to something
that is complete why would you go back to something that is dead and passed
away? Remember what our Lord said about the dead? Yeah, He is not a God of
that realm but of the living.
Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore,
brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (20) By
a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil,
that is to say, his flesh; (21) And having an high priest over the house of
God; (22) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed
with pure water. (KJV)
There is a new and living way, one that
brings life to the believer who chooses to enter into the realm of God by
faith in what His Son has done and accomplished on our behalf, and not what
we think we need to be doing. You know, if you truly desire something new
why not try the living waters our Lord gave us access to, something that
cleanses and brings life to the inward man, not just some outward watered
down doctrine. Remember our Lord said that He is a Spirit and those that
desire to worship Him must do so in Spirit and in truth. So, if you truly
desire to be cleansed spiritually why not try some pure water, living
Spiritual waters that will put an end to all the other useless ineffective
doctrines that actually result in sin and death, not in life to the
believer.
John 6:27-29 Labour not for the meat
which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life,
which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father
sealed. (28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work
the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work
of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV)
Is it really that simple, all I have to
do is believe on the Son that God sent? Well, if you truly desire to find
that new life, a living way that really works and gets results, then yes it
is that simple. Christ is the beginning of our new life and the end of the
old one, including the works of the old law. Are you tired of being dogged
with fears and doubts, not sure if your prayers are being heard let alone
answered? Christ is the end for all of that, because the more you believe
in what He accomplished on your behalf the more it brings life, and
eliminates the confusion on your end as well.
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