Since We Have Received—HOPE—Secured!
Questions posed to the one who believes—
- If we could, would we ever wish to lay aside our ASSURANCE of SALVATION, our place in grace, our washing of all the sins we committed, through the precious blood of Jesus?
- Would we ever want to lay aside GRACE and pick up our lives before Christ?
Answers all Christians are declaring (I believe) in this instant after reading the previous questions—A Resounding NO!
- WE WOULD NEVER, EVER WISH TO LAY ASIDE OUR ASSURANCE OF SALVATION, OUR PLACE IN GRACE, OUR WASHING BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS!
- WE WOULD NEVER, EVER WANT TO LAY ASIDE THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST AND RETURN TO OUR FORMER SELVES!
The apostle Paul addressed these points within his letters to the believers. Read with me.
“if indeed you have heard Him [Jesus, our Savior]
(The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians 4: 21-24 NASB)
and have been taught in Him, [Jesus, our Redeemer]
just as truth is in Jesus, [the Son of God]
that,
in reference to your former manner of life,
you lay aside the old self,
which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
and put on the new self,
which in the likeness of God
has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
To lay aside the old self sounds easy enough, until we must lay aside our old self. Yes, this is correct, for in the moment Jesus’ blood covers all of our sins, the deceiver begins his attack. Yes, so we must be ready, armored up, continually praying & listening for the Holy Spirit to speak, digging daily in God’s Word, for the devil wants more than anything to see us stumble in the GRACE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE LORD!
So, we might scratch our head, and ask:
- How can we put on the new self?
- How can we walk in newness of life?
- How can we walk with Jesus day-by-day?
- How can we obey the Holy Spirit?
& How can we live worthy of the NEW LIFE GOD HAS GIFTED TO US—THE MOMENT WE ACCEPTED, BELIEVED, & CONFESSED JESUS AS OUR SAVIOR?
We might also ask:
- How in the world can we lay aside the old self?
- Just how are we able to walk away from the person we used to be?
- How can we learn to walk daily with Jesus?
- Yes, just how are we ever able to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit?
& How can we ever turn our backs on our old selves & take up our crosses to walk worthy of the NEW LIFE GOD HAS GIFTED TO US THROUGH JESUS?
The ONLY Answer to all the questions—
THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD!
The Holy Spirit of God does not come and go from our hearts, from our beings, from our souls, nor from our lives.
HE IS ALWAYS WITH US!
Katy Nichole & Naomi Raine sing the melody “My God Can” to share through we are able to “lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, . . .”
And how we are able each morning to “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”
“Therefore, brethren,
since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil,
that is, His flesh,
and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
- let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
- Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful;
- and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
- not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
(The Letter to the Hebrews 10: 19-25 NASB)
THROUGH JESUS’ DEATH & RESURRECTION—
WE HAVE HOPE!
WE HAVE REST ASSURED!
OUR FUTURE IS PROMISED!
- Thank You, God, for sealing us with Your Holy Spirit, Who does not come and go from our hearts, or from our beings. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit remains!
- Thank You, God, for dwelling within us, securing our souls & our lives as we live here on earth. Thank You that Your Salvation is secure!
- Thank You, God, for sending Your Only Son Jesus, for making the Only Way we can ever receive Your Precious Gift of Salvation. Thank You that Jesus lives!