How Much Time Is Enough??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #273
“And almost all things are by the law
purged with blood;
and without shedding of blood
is no remission.
23 It was therefore necessary
that the patterns of things in the heavens
should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves
with better sacrifices than these.
24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands,
which are the figures of the true;
but into heaven itself,
now to appear in the presence of God
for us:
25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often,
as the high priest entereth into the holy place
every year
with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered
since the foundation of the world:
but now once
in the end of the world
hath he appeared to put away sin
by the sacrifice of himself.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:
28 So Christ was once offered
to bear the sins of many;
and unto them that look for him
shall he appear the second time
without sin
unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:22-28
Jesus paid the price for our sin, and it cost His precious blood to pay that price. Scripture is replete with references to our sin and Jesus’ payment for it; so my purpose today is to call us to pay attention to our soul! Saying I’ve joined a church, or been baptized, or been confirmed, or studied the Bible, or done good deeds isn’t what saves—it’s the blood of Jesus Christ the Lord that cleanses a repentant heart from sin.
“And these things write we unto you,
that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message
which we have heard of him,
and declare unto you,
that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness,
we lie,
and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another,
and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar,
and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:4-10
If you don’t belong to Jesus (and remember that Jesus IS truth), my friend, then you need to consider that Jesus’ blood, and being born again are the only hope that we have. Heaven isn’t a myth, nor is hell, and your earthly choice will determine your eternal destiny. How much time have you wasted? Are you born again? Have you given your heart and life to Jesus or are you just living life your way with a little religion tacked on to make God happy! The time is fleeting—what will you do with your time; for sin is the issue and we will each give an account before God—in time—whether through death or when Jesus returns to planet earth! It’s your choice but choose wisely there is a test. And part of the way you can know if you belong to Jesus is the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit; have you heard His voice? Have you repented and trusted in Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for my sin and yours? Paul makes this principle clear.
“But ye are not in the flesh,
but in the Spirit,
if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,
he is none of his.” Romans 8:9
Jesus also makes it clear that only by His Spirit can we come to Him, when Jesus knocks on the door of your heart through the power of His Holy Spirit, you can answer or neglect. But remember you don’t know how much time you may have!
“Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,
Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me,
except the Father which hath sent me
draw him:
and I will raise him up
at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets,
And they shall be all taught of God.
Every man therefore that hath heard,
and hath learned of the Father,
cometh unto me.” John 6:43-45
“Jesus saith unto him,
I am
the way,
the truth,
and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” John 14:6
Today is all we have—please don’t miss Jesus by one day! As the old song says, please don’t come ‘one day too late’ (a song written by Lannie Wolf, look it up, the words are powerful)!
“Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith,
To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts,
as in the provocation,
in the day of temptation
in the wilderness…
… 15 While it is said, To day
if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts,
as in the provocation…
… 18 And to whom sware he
that they should not enter into his rest,
but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in
because of unbelief.” Portions of Hebrews 3:7-19
Don’t put Jesus off for another day, we never know what’s coming!
“Boast not thyself of to morrow;
for thou knowest not
what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1
Paul also encouraged us to not delay. Satan is ever busy keeping us distracted, but please don’t let those distractions keep you from Jesus! Don’t count on your wisdom, goodness or effort—only Jesus can save!
“We then, as workers together with him,
beseech you also
that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2 (For he saith,
I have heard thee
in a time accepted,
and in the day of salvation
have I succoured thee:
behold, now
is the accepted time;
behold, now
is the day of salvation.)” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
For sure, God knows your heart! As Paul told his son in the ministry, Timothy—God knows, and His accounts are accurate!
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19
God knows! Won’t you come to Him and be saved today! If you’re His already, won’t you ask God to help you draw near to Him that He may reflect His glory to a lost and dying world!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold,
all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God,
who hath reconciled us to himself
by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us
the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit,
that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us:
we pray you in Christ’s stead,
be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him
to be sin for us,
who knew no sin;
that we might be made
the righteousness of God
in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
In closing a reminder from Paul, we are all lost and alienated from God by sin; but Jesus paid our sin debt at Calvary. It’s time to look to Him! Today!
“But God commendeth his love toward us,
in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
9 Much more then,
being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God
by the death of his Son,
much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so,
but we also joy in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom we have now received the atonement.” Romans 5:8-11
Amen and Amen!!!