Tag: salvation

Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?

Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it Hebrews 4:1-2 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Hebrew 3:19 (NKJV)

The writer of Hebrews once more comes with a warning. In Hebrews 2:1, he had warned us to “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Both warnings had begun with a therefore, asking us to go back and consider the argument which proceeds. In Hebrews 2, the preceding argument had been: “Since God has now chosen to speak to us through Jesus Christ, we must take earnest heed to listen because Jesus was greater than the prophets and the angels through whom God had previously spoken. If we listened to them, much more we should listen to the truth taught by Jesus, God’s own Son. If we fail to listen, fail to take heed; we may let the only hope of salvation slip away from us.”

For Who He Is

Now, once more Hebrews 4 opens with a grave warning that begins with a “therefore”. This time the warning very specifically is: “Since God’s promise of entering His rest (eternity in Paradise with Him) is on the line; be afraid, lest you come short of it because of unbelief.” Woah! Let’s stop a moment to dissect this. Does this mean I could lose my salvation after I have accepted Christ as my Savior? No!! There is: however, the question of whether you truly have come to a saving knowledge of Christ or not. So, please stay with me here while I try to break this down for you both through the argument made by the writer of Hebrews and by an example from life. Continue reading “Warning!! Do You Really Know Jesus in Your Heart?”

Why Is Jesus Superior to The Angels?

But 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 .For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews 2:9-12

Very meticulously the writer of Hebrews laid out the case using old testament scripture that Jesus was superior to the Angels. Although the angels had been God messengers throughout the Old Testament Scripture both in reigning forth judgment, in speaking to the prophets, in presenting themselves to God’s people as guides along the way; yet, they were always subject to Jesus rule.  The angels are ascribed as having great strength and wisdom. Still, they are servants of Christ who are sent forth as “ministering spirits to them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1: 14).

lwjas0114

It is such a comforting thought that Jesus has sent forth angels to comfort and to protect me. Still, I must not lose sight of the truth.  Angels are not beings that I should worship.  Only God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is worthy of all my praise. Jesus humbled Himself to come to earth and for a time to be placed in a position below the angels, so that He might suffer as a man and to purchase my salvation through His death on a cruel cross.  He, by such, has won the victory for me to one day be with Him and reign with Him in Glory.

Let us for a moment, go step by step through the arguments as to why Jesus is Superior to the angels so that we might understand the depth of humility it took for Jesus Christ to take on human flesh.

Continue reading “Why Is Jesus Superior to The Angels?”

What Is the One Truth That Cannot Be Compromised?

Jesus Christ, “who being the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” Hebrews 1:3-4(NKJV)

Some of the false doctrines that tried to invade the early church continues to invade some of the religions today.  Many tried to proclaim that Jesus was either a prophet or perhaps even an angel sent from God. There had been mention in old testament scripture that angels were sent at times to guide the people or to speak God’s words to His people. It would be much easier to believe that Jesus was “an angel or prophet of God” than to accept that He was God Incarnate as God’s only son.  Some said then and some still say that it doesn’t really matter which we believe, as long as we believe in God.  Yet, that is a lie!

ultimate-inspiration-gods-plan-of-love-ronald-barba

 

That is why the book of Hebrews is so important to grasp both for those who know Christ as their Savior and those who are yet in search of God’s Grace.  For the sinner, knowing who Christ really is becomes the pivotal point of accepting Him as your Savior.  For the Christian to truly comprehend the truth of this great salvation we have been given; we must first place Jesus in His rightful place without compromising to sound politically correct.

Continue reading “What Is the One Truth That Cannot Be Compromised?”

What More Could He Do to Prove His Love?

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.          Isaiah 53: 3-6

Before I begin the new chapter of my life story; I really want to pause to consider once more what faith really is. That is what were going to be the major lessons that I would have to learn over the next 2 decades of my life? What does faith really look like? What is it? What better day to look at that than today, “Good Friday!” The most horrendous act of mob injustice ever and we call it “good.” The day when all  the sins of the world, the horrors of the concentration camps, the terrorist bombings, the death of innocent children, and every evil gossiping word that ever came from my own lips were bore by perfect righteousness. He was beaten for my sins. He was mocked, humiliated, and hung on a cross to pay the price of my sin. As He hung there with all the sins of mankind upon His shoulders, the most horrid of all things was when His Father’s joy, love and spirit turned away. The entire earth shook!! Darkness covered the world as the only true light of the world gave up His life to plunge into death alone, naked and covered with my shame, my guilt. We celebrate that as “Good” Friday.

jesus christ picture

artwork by permission of Ronald Barba

The Centurion Soldier which was in charge of Christ’s execution watched as all the events unfolded. He had heard Jesus say “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This Soldier had witnessed the conversation among those upon the cross. He had watched Jesus tell John to care for Mary. Whatever agony was His own,

Continue reading “What More Could He Do to Prove His Love?”

Poetry Sunday—Grace So Grand

Do we really understand how great a grace we have been given?  That God, the creator of the Universe, would give His only son to die that we might be saved.  If I truly understand the magnitude of God’s Grace and Love toward me, would I ever be filled with sorrow or despair? Could I ever complain or worry about any of the trials I face here on earth?  It is a grace so grand that reached down to love me right where I was.  It is a grace so grand that continued to draw me closer to Him even when I turned my face to seek lesser things.  It is a grace so grand that draws me still, ever closer to His Side.   It has been God’s patience, love and grace that has gently taught me every step of the way drawing me ever closer to Him.

God's grace and love

Grace So Grand

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

My Lord, How can I understand?

The Grace on which my faith doth stand

A Grace so grand that sought me out

Pursued this heart so filled with doubt

My heart desired for lesser things

Like love of men or diamond rings

And though I did not seek your face

You reached to me to give me grace

How could it be you loved me so?

That on this heart of stone bestow

A love so great it drew me in

And pardoned me for all my sin

Forgiving all that I have done

Redeemed I stand by thy dear son

That died the death that should be mine

So in His Glory I might shine

As beacon of His love so pure

Tis Grace that holds my heart secure

Your grace that drew my heart aside

And bid me in your love abide

Is the same Grace on which I vow

To give you all, before you bow

My life is yours-do as you will

What e’er it takes to this heart fill

With your dear love, to overflow

Unto the world that they may know

It was your Grace that loved me so

Your joy has set my life a glow

Your Grace does call to them to come

Drawn by your love to then succumb

Unto your will, accept your son

And know the life that Calvary won

“Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ…of his fullness have all we received… grace upon grace”  (John 1:16 and 17).

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.