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Without Jesus, My Wage is Death


"For the wages of sin is Death; but the Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our LORD"
(Romans 6:23).


by Katie Stewart

Preface

Think about it for just a moment. The world has heard it and most people know it to be fact. "Jesus died so that mankind doesn't have to go to Hell." "This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall The End come" (Matthew 24:14). And that is where we are now-- at "The End". "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into ALL the Earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:18). Jesus Christ came to us, "being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the Death of the Cross" (Philippians 2:8). But before this time, men didn't understand just how MUCH the LORD Above loved them. "30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 because He [the Heavenly Father] hath appointed a Day, in the which He will judge the world in Righteousness by that Man [the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Righteous] Whom He hath ordained" (Acts 17:30-31). For "the Word of the Truth of the Gospel; which is come unto you, as it is in all the world" (Colossians 1:5-6) has revealed this Great Love to us all.

"THERE is one text in the New Testament that has been preached from oftener than any other in the Bible. It has been the foundation of great revivals of religion... It is a wonderful text. Luther called it one of 'the little gospels.' It is this (John 3:16): 'For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life.' You will naturally wonder what there is in that old text that is new. I have found something that was very new to me, and which also may be to you. I suppose that I had read that verse tens of thousands of times, and yet, a little while ago, as I was led to preach upon that text, I sought of the Lord a clearer view of it, that I might glorify Him, by bringing forth out of His treasure things new and old. After reading these familiar words over, perhaps a hundred times, prayerfully asking for new light and insight, there suddenly came to me this absolutely new discovery, as though one, looking up into the heavens, should see a cloud swept away from before the stars, and a new constellation revealed." --by A. T. Pierson ---New Window (1837-1911), from "The Heart of the Gospel" ---New Window.

And so this "new constellation" was with me, recently, as the so familiar Truth of God's amazing Love came as a newborn revelation to my soul, "when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the LORD" (Acts 3:19).



The Wages of Sin is Death

An "old, old, story", as an old friend, revisited my prayer closet as a newly found nugget of Wealth. "It is the Glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter" (Proverbs 25:2). Without Jesus, as my very "Life", no amassed regretting, no mustered repenting, no aggregate of tears-- NOTHING I could ever do-- could EVER change the wage I had earned for the sin I had committed against God's Holy Law. "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be Justified when Thou speakest, and be Clear when Thou judgest" (Luke 20:21). My wage was rightfully-- Death. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20). A Death which would forever separate me from the Creator of my soul. "Commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a Faithful Creator" (1Peter 4:19).

"Go onward and still onward; you must yet say -- after ever so many periods of largest conception, I have only just begun. I am only entering the vestibule of this world of woe -- only counting off the first moments as it were of the eternal cycles of my existence! To pursue this train of thought in its details seems utterly impossible! How the mind sinks beneath the overpowering view! O, the worth of the soul, progressing forever under a law as fixed as and as enduring as Jehovah's throne! The worth of a soul that must make progress in knowledge, and consequently in its capacities for bliss and for holiness, or for sin and for woe -- who can estimate it to the last fraction! Tell me, ye young men of mathematical genius -- ye professors in this science of certainties -- ye who think you have some knowledge of fixed truths and some skill in educing them from first principles; tell me, are these things poetry? You know they are eternal truth; you know they are verities that which none in the universe can be more sure. 'What, then, shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?'" --from "The Loss When a Soul is Lost" ---New Window by Charles G. Finney ---New Window, "The Oberlin Evangelist" ---New Window, Lectures of 1851 ---New Window. (Bold emphasis by WStS.)

So, the loss which occurs when the soul is lost, gripped in sin and in its penalty, is a total loss. Only in its completeness can you "estimate it to the last fraction." Who can comprehend the joy lost, the opportunities wasted, the glories of what could have been in an Eternity? Only the LORD Omniscient could understand these things, and it is for these reasons that He demands us so firmly to "repent... [or] ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). Once you are in that place of torture, you "shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite" (Luke 12:59), which will take all of the everlasting time you possess in Eternity. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night" (Revelation 14:11). And so, the ultimate loss is paid when you refuse the Ultimate "Gift" that was given. "37 How often would I have gathered [you]... even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" (Matthew 23:37-38). "I have five brethren... testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment" (Luke 16:28).

We know that "all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God" (Romans 3:23). And we know that we are not to continue to sin-- even once, "for whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). We know by experience, that without the Help of the LORD Jesus, we fail Him. "For it is God which worketh in you both to Will and to Do of His Good Pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). Trusting Jesus to work His Will in us allows Him to do with us "of His Good Pleasure". In actively, present tense, trusting Jesus to be our "Life", He becomes that Saviour Who can keep us from committing even one more sin. "8 He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His Seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1John 3:8-9). You cannot honestly claim to be Christ's if you do not obey Christ, and purpose in the depths of your heart and soul to "sin no more".

"1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous... 3 And hereby we do know that we know Him, IF we keep His Commandments. 4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is NOT in him. 5 But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the Love of God perfected: HEREBY know we that we are in Him. 6 He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked"
(1John 2:1,3-6).

[For help with the concepts in understanding the verse, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (1John 3:9), please read, "Must We Then Sin?" ---New Window. And for help with the concepts in understanding the verse, "He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His Commandments, is a liar, and the Truth is NOT in him" (1John 2:4), please read, "That Ye May Know That Ye Have Eternal Life" ---New Window. Understand that the true Biblical Doctrine of the Assurance of Salvation (i.e., knowing Eternal Life personally) is ONLY to those who abide in Christ.]

His Divine Intervention and Intercession as our Divine "Advocate with the Father" (1John 2:1) causes "Jesus Christ the Righteous" (2:1) to be the Only One Who can work "in [us] both to Will and to Do of His Good Pleasure" (Philippians 2:13). By faith, IF we trust Jesus to do so, He thereby causes us to continue to walk Holy. Why? Because, "He is Able".

You see, "I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is Able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2Timothy 1:12). [Read "He Will Subdue Our Iniquities" ---New Window for a longer glimpse of how Able He is.]

"If the LORD Jesus Christ has already begun His 'perfect work' (James 1:4) of Salvation and Sanctification in us, then He will not only 'perform it until the day of Jesus Christ' (Philippians 1:6), i.e., until Christ takes us Home by death or Rapture; but, He has already begun to work in us 'to will and to do of His good pleasure' (Philippians 2:13). The 'Beauties of Holiness' (Psalm 110:3) extolled by the Psalmist are the decorum of the Saints, in the present day of Christ's Gospel Power. The question for those who already understand their need of the 'manifold Grace of God' (1Peter 4:10) for Salvation, is: 'How can I promote the Beauties of Holiness in my own life (because absolutely nothing is worth sinning against God)?' 'Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?' (Hebrews 10:29). What cooperation does the Spirit of God require of me to secure me from offending the Father Who loved me, the Saviour Who died for me, and the Spirit Who sought after me? 'My Father worketh hitherto, and I work' (John 5:17). Remember that Holiness means not only separateness or apartness from sin, but consecration or dedication to God. 'In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be Holiness unto the LORD of Hosts' (Zechariah 14:20-21)." --from "How to Promote the Beauties of Holiness" ---New Window by Tom Stewart.




But the Gift of God is Eternal Life

If there is anyone that God can reach with His Truth, He wants to do so. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth" (1Timothy 2:4). "The LORD is not slack concerning His Promise, as some men count slackness; but is Longsuffering to us-ward, not willing [not wanting] that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2Peter 3:9), for "the Longsuffering of our LORD is Salvation" (3:15). The LORD gets "no pleasure" in the stiffnecked wickedness that refuses Him. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye" (Acts 7:51). "As I live, saith the LORD GOD, I have NO PLEASURE in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and Live" (Ezekiel 33:11). But, if there are people who still CAN repent, even if they are "murderers, and whoremongers" (Revelation 21:8), God wants to get them for Himself. "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the Truth" (1Timothy 2:4). And if He is given the opportunity, through their submission and our intercession, He will get them. "Therefore will the LORD wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have Mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of Judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him" (Isaiah 30:18). [Read "Intercession Promises: Casting The Net" ---New Window for help in becoming "fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).]

The method by which the LORD GOD secures people unto Himself is anchored in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. "What saith the Scripture?" (Romans 4:3).

"The Gift of God is Eternal Life
through Jesus Christ our LORD"
(Romans 6:23).
[Read "Jesus Is Eternal Life" ---New Window for the simplicity of the Truth
that Jesus is the "Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6).]



Through Jesus Christ Our LORD

Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved"(Acts 4:12). There is absolutely nothing in this world that costs more than the sins we commit, for they cost the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and Creator of the Universe, His Life-giving Blood. "34 One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he [the Apostle John] that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe" (John 19:34-35). Rev. Charles G. Finney, one of the greatest evangelists of the Church Age, recognized the value of God's Love to our souls, both now and in the eternal beyond.

"Sin is the most expensive thing in the universe. Nothing else can cost so much. Pardoned or unpardoned, its cost is infinitely great. Pardoned, the cost falls chiefly on the great atoning substitute; unpardoned, it must fall on the head of the guilty sinner." --from "God's Love for A Sinning World" ---New Window, "The Oberlin Evangelist" ---New Window, Lectures of 1853 ---New Window.

In the most complete sense possible, Eternal Life is gained "through Jesus Christ" (Romans 6:23). He, "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God... 7 made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Cross" (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus is God, and yet was sacrificially born as a Man, "4 made of a woman, made under the Law, 5 to redeem them that were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ" (Galatians 4:4-7). For "Abba Father", "the God of all Grace, Who hath called us unto His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus" (1Peter 5:10), even Himself suffered the Painful Sacrifice as a Loving Parent, in that He "spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Romans 8:32). The Father's Supreme Gift of "His Own Son" and the Son's Supreme Gift of His Blood, secure a plan for man's Redemption that is uniquely executed by Divine Authority. "We have Redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace" (Ephesians 1:7). So, it is from the Father, and by His Son, that we inherit the Heavenly Kingdom. "12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His Dear Son" (Colossians 1:12-13).

Only the LORD Jesus Christ has the ability and the right to save us. "We see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of Death, crowned with Glory and Honour; that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9). Only the LORD Jesus provides ALL that we need, "Who of God is made unto us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Redemption" (Hebrews 12:2). Again, from Mr. Finney:

"All is done already. You have only to consent to the proposition, give your heart right up to it at once. This is all. Just so it is. All Christians and sinners ought to understand that the whole plan is complete, that the whole of Christ -- His character, His work, His atoning death, and His ever-living intercession -- belong to each and every person, and need only to be accepted. There is a full ocean of it! There it is. You may just as well take it as not. It is as if you stood on the shore of an ocean of soft, pure water, famishing with thirst; you are welcome to drink, and you need not fear lest you exhaust that ocean, or starve anybody else by drinking yourself. You need not feel that you are not made free to that ocean of waters; you are invited and pressed to drink -- yea, to drink abundantly! This ocean supplies all your need. You do not need to have in yourself the attributes of Jesus Christ, for His attributes become, in practice, yours for all possible use. As saith the Scriptures, He is of God made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. What do you need? Wisdom? Here it is. Righteousness? Here it is. Sanctification? Here you have it. All is in Christ. Can you possibly think of any one thing needful for your moral purity, or your usefulness, which is not here in Christ? Nothing. All is provided here." --from "God's Love for A Sinning World", "The Oberlin Evangelist", Lectures of 1853.

Love is His Motive. "God commendeth His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Love is His Means. "Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the Propitiation [Mediation] for our sins" (1John 4:10). Love is what God is. "8 God is Love. 9 In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." (4:8-9). Love is the End Result God achieves. "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He Ever Liveth to make Intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).

"For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified"
(1Corinthians 2:2).

What Wondrous Love Is This

Words: Attributed to Alexander Means.
Music: Arranged by William Jenson Reynolds (1920-).

"What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath Gods righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great I Am;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on;
And through eternity, I'll sing on."

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith;
Who for the Joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame"
(Hebrews 12:2).



A Warning: Reject The Gift and Collect Your Full Wage of Death

Divine Justice demands that the worst crime should reap the severest punishment. "47 And that servant, which knew his LORD's Will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His Will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Luke 12:47-48). That is why the LORD truly did create a place called Hell. "Let Death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into Hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them" (Psalm 55:15). For the offence of sin is against no one, more, than against God Himself-- not innocent babies nor abused children, not battered wives nor raped women, not cheated husbands nor robbed men-- NO ONE is offended more by sin than God. "For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD" (Deuteronomy 25:16). Sin of ANY kind is a complete betrayal of God and all that He has done for mankind. "8 He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from The Beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil... 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is NOT of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (1John 3:8,10). If you will not accept "the Gift of God [which] is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our LORD" (Romans 6:23), then you will most certainly pay your own sin debt with your own Unending Death, "for the wages of sin is Death" (6:23). "7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap Corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting" (Galatians 6:7-8). "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... 23 But we preach Christ Crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness" (1Corinthians 1:18,23).

Do you really want to go it on your own? If so, then you have drawn the line in the sand and you stand upon the side that opposes God. "He that is not with Me is against Me" (Matthew 12:30). "Despisest thou the riches of His Goodness and Forbearance and Longsuffering; not knowing that the Goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Romans 2:4).

Do you have a complaint against God? Has Almighty God not measured up to your expectations? "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus?" (Romans 9:20).

There is NOTHING more that God the Father and Jesus Christ, His Son, can do for you! ALL has been done that can be done, "for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1Corinthians 3:11). And no other god can help you, for they are ALL false. "As ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the Last Time" (1John 2:18). [Read "Antichrist Shall Come" ---New Window to find the Truth of what the Antichrist does for those who follow him.]

Do you really want what you deserve? You are foolish if you do. You will certainly earn what you reap if you reject the Precious Gift Jesus wanted you to have. "The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth Righteousness shall be a Sure Reward" (Proverbs 11:18).

Do you ever feel shame for the things that you do, indicating that you still have a conscience-- a chance to change? "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is Death" (Romans 6:16, 21). Do you still have a conscience, or have you "seared" it eternally? "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having [your] conscience seared with a hot iron" (1Timothy 4:2).

You have a very limited time to make your choice, "14 whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away... 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do Good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:14,17). You do know what you OUGHT to do. "Sow to yourselves in Righteousness, reap in Mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till He come and rain Righteousness upon you" (Hosea 10:12). Delay will only harden you. "Thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the Day of Wrath and revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God" (Romans 2:5). Take heed, for "the LORD said, My Spirit SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE with man... For I will NOT CONTEND FOR EVER, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before Me, and the souls which I have made" (Genesis 6:3; Isaiah 57:16). Even to "the Great Whore" (Revelation 19:2) of the Tribulation, God said, "I gave her SPACE to repent of her fornication; and she repented not... And her smoke rose up for ever and ever" (Revelation 2:21; 19:3). [Read "Who is Mystery, Babylon the Great?" ---New Window and hear what Scripture tells us of the identity of this Whore.] Time will not stand still while men and demons play their wicked games. "For the Son of Man [most definitely] SHALL COME in the Glory of His Father with His angels; and then He SHALL REWARD every man according to his WORKS" (Matthew 16:27).

"6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for Glory and Honour and Immortality, Eternal Life:
8 but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile"
(Romans 2:6-9).

The Law of God shall be upheld, even if you choose not to do so. "Who knowing the Judgment of God, that they which commit such things are WORTHY of Death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:32). You will be a partaker in the Justice of God being executed, even if you are not willingly a party to it. Why? Because the Father in Heaven is a God of His Word, and "shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25). Whether you choose to participate in the Judgment of God-- or not-- you will! There is a limit to your abuse of God. "Surely [even] the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou RESTRAIN" (Psalm 76:10).

"God will be as truly honored in the damnation of those who reject, as in the salvation of those who receive Christ.

--from "The Gospel the Savor of Life or of Death" ---New Window
by C. G. Finney
Lecture XV
I. That God has great delight in the Atonement of Christ.
II. That a full exhibition of Christ must do great good, whether men are saved or lost.
III. That such an exhibition of Christ will produce great and manifest changes in the character of those who hear.
IV. That God will be as truly honored in the damnation of those who reject, as in the salvation of those who receive Christ.


But if you repent, "being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye [shall] have your fruit unto Holiness, and the end Everlasting Life" (Romans 6:22).

"Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep Mercy and Judgment, and wait on thy God continually"
(Hosea 12:6).
[PLEASE see our "Topical Links On Salvation" ---New Window.]



Conclusion

Without Jesus Christ, we will pay our own sin debt, "for the wages of sin is Death" (Romans 6:23). With the Atoning Work of the Cross that the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ suffered, our debt of Death has been paid in full. He did that for us! As "The Gift of God" (6:23), the Father has given Jesus Christ, His Son, to us. He is our "Eternal Life" (6:23). And, dear reader, if you receive Him, this "Life" begins in you NOW. You will live victoriously-- without sin-- ONLY if you live "through Jesus Christ" (6:23). "In this was manifested the Love of God toward us, because that God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1John 4:9).

What is your situation? Is it one of present hopelessness and utter despair, balancing tenuously on the thin edge of the pit of Destruction? Then listen to the Pleading of the One Who, so exquisitely gave up everything and suffered so incredibly for you. Jesus Christ said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him [the Heavenly Father] that sent Me, hath Everlasting Life, and shall NOT come into Condemnation; but is passed from Death unto Life" (John 5:24). What more can He say or do? He has done it all! Let C. G. Finney repeat:

"As saith the Scriptures, He is of God made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. What do you need? Wisdom? Here it is. Righteousness? Here it is. Sanctification? Here you have it. All is in Christ. Can you possibly think of any one thing needful for your moral purity, or your usefulness, which is not here in Christ? Nothing. All is provided here." --from "God's Love for A Sinning World" by Finney.

[Elaborating on the theme that Christ Jesus is the Christian's "All in All" (Ephesians 1:23), these two editions are most helpful: "In Christ Jesus ---New Window, The Sphere of the Believer's Life" by A. T. Pierson and "The Relations of Christ to the Believer" ---New Window by Finney.]

Jesus saves us from past sins, but, when we trust Him to do so, He also can save us from present and future sins. "8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His Seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God" (1John 3:8-9). Are you, dear reader, a professing Christian? There is a sin-cancer in the Church today. In this lying age in which we live, you have probably been taught that a confession of Christ is ALL that you need to reach Heaven. That is NOT the Truth of the Word of God. The Scripture says, "9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation. 11 For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall NOT be ashamed" (Romans 10:9-11). Many today profess that they have done this-- that they believe in Christ-- and that they belong to Christ. But if your mouth professes Christ-- and your life does NOT-- then you have NOT REALLY BELIEVED! "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). The Word of God is clear in this. "20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that Faith without works is dead?... 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so Faith without works is dead also" (James 2:20, 26). Jesus warns, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). Remember, it is ONLY "he that shall endure unto The End, the same shall be saved" (Matthew 24:13). [Please read "He That Endureth to the End Shall Be Saved" ---New Window, and "Is Faith the Only Condition for Eternal Salvation? ---New Window".To understand the Biblical Doctrine of the Assurance of Salvation and that only those who abide in Christ may KNOW that they have Eternal Life, please read from the many selections on our "Topical Links On Sound Doctrine" ---New Window.]

May you not go through this life without the LORD Jesus Christ, "the Saviour of the world" (John 4:42). May He be your "All in All" (Ephesians 1:23)-- for "Thou art my Portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep Thy Words" [Psalm 119:57])-- in this life, and in the next. "For the LORD'S portion is His people" (Deuteronomy 32:9)!

"The Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our LORD"
(Romans 6:23).



Katie Stewart

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Related Topics:

"How to Trust God" ---New Window

"The Excellence of Love" ---New Window



No Greater Love
This art print, "No Greater Love" by Robert Grace is provided courtesy of Christ-Centered Art ---New Window.


 What the Bible Says About
Why Did Jesus Have to Suffer? ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust,
that He might bring us to God,
being put to Death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit"
(1Peter 3:18).
"The Natural Love that we have for ourselves is a Universal Truth, for 'no man ever yet hated his own flesh' (Ephesians 5:29); and, Jesus the Son of Man was no different. 'For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin' (Hebrews 4:15). He had no special enjoyment of suffering, just as we do not enjoy suffering. 'Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make Reconciliation for the sins of the people' (Hebrews 2:17). It is difficult for the Righteous to watch the Guiltless and Innocent suffer, because their suffering is our suffering. 'Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body' (Hebrews 13:3). Further, we have been advised by the Scriptures to remain 'simple' concerning the specifics of the sufferings that evil men inflict. 'For your Obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple [Greek, akeraion, harmless] concerning evil' (Romans 16:19). It was only the Providence of God that allowed the human mother of Jesus to be at the scene of Christ's Crucifixion, and one can only imagine the impression upon Mary as she beheld the Agony of her Son upon the Cross! Perhaps it was at that moment that Mary recalled the prophetic words of Simeon from the dedication of Jesus. '34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a Sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed' (Luke 2:34-35). For those we love, suffering and even death for ourselves would be more desirable than to watch them suffer. But, Jesus willingly set His face like flint to suffer the Cruel Death of the Cross for friend and foe alike, e.g., the Roman centurion in charge of His Crucifixion exclaimed about the events and manner of Christ's Death on the Cross, 'Truly this was the Son of God' (Matthew 27:54)."



 The Majesty of the Atonement of Jesus Christ ---New Window
Or, Christ's Humanity Provided an Atoning Sacrifice for the Sins of Mankind
by Tom Stewart
"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the Atonement" (Romans 5:11).
"At this moment, only a short time before the 'glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ' (Titus 2:13), it is a retrospective of awe and wonder that we would consider again the central, fundamental, and timeless theme of the atoning self-sacrifice of the Creator for the well-being of rebellious and sinful man... he most majestic act of God towards us was the Atonement of Jesus Christ on the Cross for all mankind. So marvelous was this act of atonement, that the angels were quite eager to see how the LORD would handle it. 'Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into' (1Peter 1:12). Eternity cannot exhaust our study of the love of God that was manifested in His atonement for us."



 The Amazing Humanity of Jesus Christ ---New Window
Or, The Benefit of Christ's Birth
by Tom Stewart
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of Grace and Truth"
(John 1:14).
"The Old Testament of the Scriptures is replete with clues of God's purpose to redeem and govern mankind through the human advent of the Divine Son of God. '6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will perform this' (Isaiah 9:6-7). What astounds us is that the Son of God condescended to become a man-- to suffer all the difficulties of the flesh and the human condition, 'yet without sin' (Hebrews 4:15). Heaven will surely be filled with the Saints' praise and admiration for so bold an act of love that the Son of Man would become human flesh and then 'lay down His life for His friends' (John 15:13). 'Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you' (15:14)."



 His Resurrection Is The Highest Proof That Jesus Is The Messiah ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"What evidence should satisfy the most inquisitive mind that Jesus is the Messiah? All of humanity must be born into this world, and it will be by the hand of the Almighty that He will take us out of this world, i.e., 'And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this The Judgment' (Hebrews 9:27), so birth and death are common to man. However, who but God Alone has the Power to resurrect from the dead? 'God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that Power belongeth unto God' (Psalm 62:11). Even if a questioning mind could not settle whether Jesus resurrected by His own Power or whether it was the Power of the Almighty to resurrect Jesus from the dead, Why would Jehovah resurrect Jesus and thereby vindicate the claims of Jesus of Nazareth that He would Rise again after three days, unless Jesus is the Messiah? '3 Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our LORD, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 and declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead' (Romans 1:3-4)."



 What Happened in Gethsemane? ---New Window
by Tom Stewart
"The Garden of Gethsemane is best known to us for the scene of the betrayal of the LORD into the hands of the 'chief priests and elders of the people' (Matthew 26:47). Of the events prior to His betrayal that night in Gethsemane, we are called upon to consider the nature of Jesus' agony when He prayed, 'Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done' (Luke 22:42)."


 What the Bible Says About Temptation ---New Window
by Tom and Katie Stewart
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Matthew 6:13).
"This is a study about understanding temptation, not simply because the Master enjoined, 'Pray that ye enter not into temptation' (Luke 22:40), but because we also desire to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in doing all that is humanly possible to prevent temptation from turning into sin. '10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy Commandments... 133 Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me' (Psalm 119:10, 133). From the first temptation of Eve in the Garden when the Serpent succeeded in causing our First Parents to doubt the love of God, to the final 'Hour of Temptation' (Revelation 3:10) of the Apocalypse, mankind has struggled, and will struggle, with the necessity to overcome temptation. Our present unwillingness to enter into temptation is the same unwillingness to enter into the 'Hour of Temptation' (3:10) soon prophesied to come upon this world. 'Because thou hast kept the Word of My Patience, I also will keep thee from the Hour of Temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth' (3:10). But, since 'all the Promises of God in [Christ] are Yea, and in Him Amen' (2Corinthians 1:20), we can lay hold of the Master's instruction to 'pray that ye enter not into temptation' (Luke 22:40), with the bold assurance that, indeed, 'sin shall not have dominion over [us]' (Romans 6:14)!"



 Seven Reasons Why I Believe in
THE ATONING BLOOD OF CHRIST
by Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley
---New Window
"This vital consideration brings us to the fulcrum of the great operation of the Divine Revelation, to the centre of the vast circumference of Divine Redemption and to the very heart of the throbbing purpose of Divine Reconciliation. We come from the shallows of human speculation to the depths of divine revelation when we come to the Blood. We step at this juncture from the shadows of Old Testament typology to the blazing sunshine of New Testament theology. It is here we launch our souls from the shores of man's estimate into the boundless, tideless, endless sea of God's ultimate."



 Seven Reasons Why I Believe in
THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
by Dr. Ian R. K. Paisley
---New Window
"The Resurrection is essential to Christianity, for by it alone can Christianity be confirmed. The Resurrection is the great corroborator of the Christian gospel. Remove this keystone and the goodly temple crashes into ruin. As life is essential to living so the Resurrection is essential to a living Christianity. Take away the Resurrection and Christianity becomes a dead letter, but another contribution to the world's Pantheon."
"And if Christ be not raised, your Faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1Corinthians 15:17).









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