“Only Jesus – Calvary ’s Love” & “Wonderful Merciful Savior”
As you may see by the title of this message, my intent is to indulge in praise, worship, honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ (Messiah). In preparation for this, I enlisted the aid of two songs that have been an inspiration for this particular message.
First; about My Jesus (Yeshua). There is no other being, past or present, that has loved you and me as much as Jesus does. He is an equal part of the Trinity, which also includes the Lord God Jehovah (Yahweh – YHWH) and the Holy Spirit. To be accepted by this Trinity, we must accept Jesus as our Savior as He is the only path to the Father. When we have become a true believer, we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in us until we leave this earth. It is an “all or none” issue.
A very popular verse in the Bible that just about everyone has heard of is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (ESV – emphasis mine)
For this statement to be complete, we must add verses 17 and 18, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
You may have heard there is only one unforgivable sin; that sin is to reject or blaspheme Jesus as your Savior, and not repent before leaving this earth.
Some have tried to say Jesus was just a man and a good prophet, but not really God. They overlook John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Also, I mentioned the only path. This is found in John 14:6, “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” We’re told about the Holy Spirit which Jesus referred to as “the Helper” in John 16:7-14. Peter tells us that no scripture was written by man, but only by those who were “Holy Spirit” inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21).
To some, the Bible is a fantasy book just full of fairytales. This is explained in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.”
To Jesus, there have been no surprises here, as He told his disciples that only a “few” would find the narrow gate to eternal life. He realized the majority of all the people that have existed and will exist on this earth will be lost (Matthew 7:13-14). God is not blind to this, as He knows who will and will not believe in Jesus. For those who are “perishing,” that is to accept Satan and what this world alone offers, “He sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
Once someone really considers all that the Savior did for us, it seems to me it would be impossible not to accept Him, or to love Him. He is God, yet He came to this earth in full-human form. He never stopped being God, but allowed Himself to become lower than the angels for a little while, so He could become a perfect sacrifice for us (Hebrews 2:9). Our Creator (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) knew that as mortal, sinful and imperfect humans, we would never be able to satisfy His need for perfection in resolving sin. God cannot tolerate any sin, no matter how great or small.
The only solution was to become our sacrifice by sending a precious part of Himself to take the punishment we so richly deserve. In doing so, He has the absolute right to say that we must accept that sacrifice, as well as the One who made it for us, in order to have an eternal home with Him. He is faithful and just to “allow” anyone to choose to reject the sacrifice and the Savior, and be separated from Him forever. He made no other provisions than these two choices – Heaven or Hell.
I am thankful the Father allowed me to call out and be saved; and through the Holy Spirit, He has assisted me in learning more about Him through His word each day. I have prayed often for Him to continue to open my mind to His will, and provide me the capacity to love Him more each hour of each day. Today, I can’t imagine my life without Jesus. I do realize it’s up to each individual to accept or reject our Savior, and I pray for all our loved ones daily to be given guidance for them to accept Him also, if they haven’t done so.
As for the songs, the first was released in 1986 by Steve Green, called “Only Jesus – Calvary ’s Love.”
Only Jesus, Only He
Brings redemption, full and free
There’s a yearning in all our lives
That only Jesus satisfies
Calvary ’s love will sail forever
Bright and shining, strong and free
Like an ark of peace and safety
On the sea of human need
Through the hours of all the ages
Those tired of sailing on their own
Finally rest inside the shadow
Cast by Calvary ’s love across their souls
Chorus:
Calvary’s love, Calvary’s love
Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
The deepest sin can’t rise above
Calvary ’s love
Calvary ’s love can heal the Spirit
Life has crushed and cast aside
And redeem til Heaven’s promise
Fills with joy once empty eyes
So desire to tell His story
Of a love that loved enough to die
Burns away all other passions
And fed by Calvary ’s love becomes a fire
Chorus
Calvary ’s love has never faltered
All its wonders still remain
Souls still take eternal passage
Sins atoned and heaven gained
Sins forgiven and heaven gained
It’s actually hard to imagine a terrible scene such as the one that took place that day outside the gates of Jerusalem. Crucifixion is a most terrible and demeaning form of execution, yet this was the method chosen for, and by, our sacrificial Lamb; It was chosen even before crucifixion was made popular by the Romans (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53:4-6). Jesus spoke of being “lifted up” before He was arrested. He knew exactly why He came to this earth, and what would take place before He would return Home.
His blood was spotless; He did not sin. The blood of animals could never compensate for man’s sinful nature. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us (John 10:18). As I mentioned earlier, He suffered for our sins – My Sin – that He was not guilty of. Yet, if we will accept His sacrifice as the free gift that is offered, our sins will be taken away forever.
Does this mean we will not sin again? No way. However, we will have a path to forgiveness as given in 1 John 1:8-10. Once we leave this earth and have our new forever bodies, we will also have a brand-new mindset that will never be subject to any temptation again.
Who would do this for us? Only a “Wonderful Merciful Savior” as presented by Selah in 2001. It was written by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Lee.
Wonderful, merciful Savior
Precious Redeemer and Friend
Who would have thought that a Lamb
Could rescue the souls of men
Oh, You rescue the souls of men
Counselor, Comforter, Keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost our way
Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost the way
Chorus:
You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace
Our hearts always hunger for
Oh, our hearts always hunger for
Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we’re falling before Your throne
Chorus x2
There is going to be a wrath poured out on this earth such as never has happened before. God promised in numerous verses of the Bible that He would keep the faithful from that wrath. We are just about at the point where this age will end, and the Tribulation will start. It could be at any moment now.
Jesus will come soon to take all believers up to meet Him in the air (Rapture) before that event starts. You can ensure you will be with Him by calling out for Him to save you; confess that you know you’re a sinner, and ask for His forgiveness. He will turn no one away who truly accepts Him. He will send the Holy Spirit to be within you until we leave here. Gods wants no one to fail, and is allowing a bit more time for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). However, it will only last for so long, and the call will go out.
Don’t hesitate or you could face a very terrible time. Call on Jesus today to get your reservation confirmed.
Shalom b’Yeshua – Peace through Jesus!