Isaiah 5:20-21: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness. Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight.” (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
Jude 1:17-21: “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions” (in 2 Peter 3). It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
It should be noted that James and Jude were brothers of Jesus that really did not believe in Him until after His resurrection.
Romans 7:15-20: “For I do not understand my own actions. For l do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”
All this sounds like double-talk, but it shows that even the apostle Paul, after his conversion, had issues with his faith in the Lord. He took delight in God’s law, but he also had a sin nature trying to dominate him. Paul, through desperation to be delivered from his sin nature, turned to the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting that God’s grace would provide the victory over sin that he so strongly desired.
From the beginning of this earth, all the way to today, there has only been one person who lived a sinless life. That was our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Also, He will be the only one to do so all the way to the end of this earth’s existence.
Even though Jesus knew who He was, He allowed Himself to be fully human, and be tempted by Satan as we all are. The difference is that Jesus resisted Satan all the way through His crucifixion.
Hebrews 2:17-18 states: “Therefore, He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Our Savior knew exactly what had to be done to satisfy the Father’s need for perfection, and even though He was in human form, He completed what was required.
Jesus never had any “sin-nature blood” in His system. If He had sinned even once, His sacrifice would have been worthless, and we would be left with absolutely no hope for an eternal home in Heaven.
As is, everyone who truly receives and accepts Jesus as their eternal Savior will be saved. Our sins can be forgiven, and we can become a part of His precious flock. The only hard part about this process is believing there’s not more to it.
First, we must Admit that we are all sinners and cannot save ourselves. Second, we must Believe that Jesus is exactly who He said He is; a part of the triune Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Finally, we must Call out to Jesus to forgive us our sins and to become our eternal Savior. At this point, He will send the Holy Spirit to be within us until our time comes to leave this sinful planet.
Even though we are saved and destined for an eternal home in Heaven, the Father knows that as humans, we will sin until we receive our new forever immortal bodies, and new mindset that will not be subject to Satan’s temptations. Therefore, He gives us 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Sometimes, it’s actually difficult to totally comprehend all that our Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have done, and continue to do for us. I have no illusions about what I actually deserve, compared to what is being given to me. After all, Jesus is “Everything I’m Not.” This is the title of a song by Dale and Cheryl Golden. Consider the valuable content.
1.) Am I not a weary wounded soldier? Am I not a failure in Your eyes? Am I not a burden You must shoulder? Everything I’m not, You surely recognize. My Jesus, am I not ungrateful of Your kindness? Am I not a pity, harsh and cold? Am I not so awkward in my blindness? Everything I’m not, You readily behold.
Ref.) Tell me how can You continue loving me? Though when all I’ve done I’ve failed you miserably. Such amazing grace You’ve given me thus far; for everything I’m not, My Lord, You are!
2.) Am I not the weakness You are strong for? Am I not the lowest of the low? Am I not the sinner You were wronged for? Everything I’m not, so sadly You must know. My Savior, am I not the pain of blood still flowing? Am I not Your cause of deepest shame? Am I not the price of love through knowing; everything I‘m not – yet dying just the same. (Ref)
3.) Such Amazing Grace You’ve given me thus far; for everything I’m not, My Lord You are. You are the Precious Lord Jehovah God; You are.
When we consider all that has been done on our behalf by our Holy Trinity, it is no wonder that anyone who does not receive and accept this gift will not have a home in Heaven.
Revelation 20:11-15 tells of the Great White Throne Judgment for all who were out of the will of the Father pre-Calvary, and all who did not have Jesus as their Savior from Calvary to the end of this earth. All at this judgment will be cast into the lake of fire with Satan and all his demons, and it will be forever!
Putting off a decision to call on Jesus to save you could be the biggest mistake anyone could ever make. “I Meant To” is not a valid excuse, and we’re not guaranteed another day here. Today would not be too early to ask Jesus to forgive you and accept you as one of His own.
As He told us in John 14:2-3: “In My Father’s House are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”
It is absolutely the most important decision you could ever make. Heaven with Jesus or lake of fire with Satan. There are no other options. Choose wisely, and soon!
Come, Lord Jesus! (Maranatha!)