Focus on Jesus ACCEPTANCE FULL AND FREE
Anyone who gives heed to what I say and puts his trust in him who sent me has hold of eternal life, and does not come up for judgment, but has already passed from death to life. John 5:24, N.E.B.
The key word in the theme of justification by faith is the word acceptance. When you study what Jesus had to say about justification, and as you see how He treated people, you can't miss this conclusion. We are always accepted just as we are. We don't change ourselves in order to come to Him. Jesus loves to accept us just as we are. This is true not only for the beginning of the Christian life but for every day as well.
Luke 15:2 says, This man receiveth sinners." In John 6:37, Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Chapter 3:17, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Jesus said to the woman dragged to Him, "Neither do I condemn thee" (chap. 8:11). Jesus said, "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" (chap. 12:47). And in our text for today, Jesus said that those who trust in Him don't come up for judgment.
Isn't it good news, my friend, to know that we don't have to face the judgment? This acceptance is full and free, and it is based on what Jesus has already done for us. It's good for every day. It causes the poor publican who can't even get into the back row or lift his eyes to heaven to be able to go to his house on the other side of town, holding his head high. He realizes that he is worth everything to God. He is accepted, he is forgiven, he is justified.
Jesus said that forgiveness is unending for anyone who comes, and who keeps coming, to Him. Will this lead to license? No, because the more you are forgiven, the more you love. And the more you love, the more you obey. God's forgiveness, when rightly understood, does not lead us to play loose with God's grace, but leads to love. And love leads to obedience. It's just that simple.
Once agan I'd like to remind you of the friendly arms that still open to receive us when we come. Jesus said in Luke 23:34" "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." That forgiveness, that acceptance, is available to you today, as you come to Him.
Anyone who gives heed to what I say and puts his trust in him who sent me has hold of eternal life, and does not come up for judgment, but has already passed from death to life. John 5:24, N.E.B.
The key word in the theme of justification by faith is the word acceptance. When you study what Jesus had to say about justification, and as you see how He treated people, you can't miss this conclusion. We are always accepted just as we are. We don't change ourselves in order to come to Him. Jesus loves to accept us just as we are. This is true not only for the beginning of the Christian life but for every day as well.
Luke 15:2 says, This man receiveth sinners." In John 6:37, Jesus said, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Chapter 3:17, "God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Jesus said to the woman dragged to Him, "Neither do I condemn thee" (chap. 8:11). Jesus said, "I came not to judge the world, but to save the world" (chap. 12:47). And in our text for today, Jesus said that those who trust in Him don't come up for judgment.
Isn't it good news, my friend, to know that we don't have to face the judgment? This acceptance is full and free, and it is based on what Jesus has already done for us. It's good for every day. It causes the poor publican who can't even get into the back row or lift his eyes to heaven to be able to go to his house on the other side of town, holding his head high. He realizes that he is worth everything to God. He is accepted, he is forgiven, he is justified.
Jesus said that forgiveness is unending for anyone who comes, and who keeps coming, to Him. Will this lead to license? No, because the more you are forgiven, the more you love. And the more you love, the more you obey. God's forgiveness, when rightly understood, does not lead us to play loose with God's grace, but leads to love. And love leads to obedience. It's just that simple.
Once agan I'd like to remind you of the friendly arms that still open to receive us when we come. Jesus said in Luke 23:34" "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." That forgiveness, that acceptance, is available to you today, as you come to Him.
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