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"HE was
confrontational because of what hung in the balance. "
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The cross of CHRIST is
the single, most marvelous event, ever conceived in the
heart of GOD. However, the significance of the crucifixion
is not intended to marvel us with unintelligent wonder.
The world holds only two kinds of sinners: the honest one who
agrees with GOD about his sin, repents, and is born again; and
the dishonest one who scoffs at a bloody SAVIOR, trusts in his
own merit, dies, and goes to Hell. JESUS always commanded
the situations HE encountered with this type of urgency and candor. HE
was confrontational because of what hung in the balance.
"Art thou a master of Israel, and
knowest not these things?" ... JESUS queried
Nicodemus. Taking the liberty to paraphrase I think our
LORD to suggest: 'Come on now, stop playing stupid, you know
you will never get to Heaven as you are'. In another incident, JESUS informed the religious crowd heckling
HIM that they were of their father the Devil and were guilty of
his deeds by virtue of their heritage. The badness of sin
requires the boldness of truth! As ambassadors of HIS, I
wonder that we have allowed ourselves to be marveled into a
corner, by a world in denial. Sinners in their arrogant
marvel apply our tact as a balm to quiet their noisy consciences
... and in GOD'S sight, we are complicit in their smugness. Thinking
ourselves wise, we have become fools, and all the while remiss in the great
commission entrusted to us.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and
death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned:" The damning doctrine of original
sin, that man's eternal DNA was corrupted through disobedience
is the nucleus of Scripture.
"... the life of the flesh is in the
blood" The blood supply of man, created in GOD'S image became tainted; and only a total transfusion is able to
save the patient terminal in sin.
"Much more then, being now justified by HIS blood, we shall
be saved from wrath through HIM."
This maxim, though
anonymous to me, is pertinent to today's thought:
Those who are born once
will die twice.
Those who are born twice will die but once.
"JESUS
answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of
water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD."
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