Wherefore Jesus also, that He might
sanctify the people with His own blood,
suffered without the gate. Let us go
forth therefore unto Him without
the camp, bearing His reproach.
For here have we no continuing city,
but we seek one to come. By Him the
sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to His name. Both to do good
and to communicate forget not: for
with such sacrifices Go is will pleased
Hebrews 13:12-16
Outside of the city of Jerusalem Jesus hung on a cross along with two other convicted criminals. They had done legally wrong, but Jesus had not done anything wrong according to the Roman law and only by the cries of those who hated Him and wanted to be rid of Him, and by the fact that Pontius Pilate could not afford another "run" in with Ceasar He granted their cries to crucify Him. Although this act to crucify Jesus was wrong in every way possible God in His timing used this to do the very thing that man could not do for himself: man cannot save himself and only God can sanctify a person. By the pouring out of the blood of Jesus, innocent blood spilled could the debt of sin be paid and the justice of God be satisfied. Man cannot ever, now, or in the future, do pay this debt for man is sinful from his birth until his death and the only way that this sanctification can be applied is by putting one's faith in Jesus Christ and converting to Him. Are you seeking the coming of Jesus for the second time? Good! that is a result of becoming a child of God. Yet there is more that is a true sign of your authentic repentance: and it is the offering of praise for His sacrifice and giving thanks unto His name. The sign that this has been and is authentic is that you repent, that is, to turn 180 degrees from what you are to what you have never been and that is, to now follow Him in all that you do and say. By doing this God is well pleased!
Pastors and teachers and others who are leading the children of God have the responsibility to do so in truth and not be speculation, or anecdotal stories, or philanthropic activities that are derived from desire to gain people, money, or power. When it is found that they are teaching the truth of Scripture then we are obligated to obey them and to submit ourselves to their authority: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17). All Authentic Christians are the City of God, the temple of God, the place where the Holy Spirit resides and to do anything that would bring shame or reproach upon this city is to have the Living God bring chastisement in an attempt to bring you back to the truth. The best way to avoid this is to be proactive and study God's word, to examine all things, and when the good is found, hold on to it. We are not to sit back in apathy, rather to be intentional in our Christian Faith.
Examine your election and your Christian Faith using Scripture only to be your factual guide and by keeping His word will you then be all that God wants from you, and that is to be His witness wherever you find yourself, wherever you go, you will be a witness even to those you may never see. God is faithful: you too be faithful. God will bless, in fact He has already for He has prepared a heavenly home for you just waiting for your arrival.
Let not them that wait on thee,
O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed
for my sake: let not those that seek
thee be confounded for my sake,
O God of Israel.
Psalm 69: 6
Prepare now for the Sabbath
Richard L. Crumb
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