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Thursday,
February 5, 2009
A Better Hope
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing
perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw
nigh unto God. (KJV)
Could you imagine being stuck in
kindergarten, or should I say a kindergarten education trying to make it in
the world today? Probably wouldn’t get too far, and it would be safe to say
that you were not going anywhere for a while. Well this same principle
holds true in the Spiritual realm; those that still hold to the old law and
its rituals are not going to advance in their walk with the Lord, but
rather they will be held back. The law and its works cannot make anyone
perfect or mature in the realm of our Lord, but there is someone who can,
someone we can believe in instead of these dead works.
Colossians 1:27-29 To whom God would make
known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: (28) Whom we preach, warning
every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every
man perfect in Christ Jesus: (29) Whereunto I also labour, striving
according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. (KJV)
You wonder why Paul ran into so much
opposition, and I am not talking about from unbelievers, but rather from those
who claimed they were believers? Remember who it was that crucified the
Lord, and who it is that still crucifies His doctrine, yup, those so called
believers. Our perfection or maturity, is a result of our coming to a
working knowledge of the mystery of Christ; our ability to grow and mature
in His wisdom, which again is apart from the works of the law. Do you
desire something better? Then that person is seated at the right hand of
God and is ready, willing, and able to mediate His plan of salvation to you
personally. This is where you will find the only true growth and maturity
in the Lord, knowing personally His name, and how to allow Him to work in
you mightily.
Colossians 1:3-5 We give thanks to God
and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (4) Since we heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the
saints, (5) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye
heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; (KJV)
What or where, or should I say who, do
you put your trust and confidence in; something you see in the outward or
is it something within, someone greater than he that is in the world? Do
you desire peace and joy in your walk, with some boldness and confidence in
it, or are you still hoping someday it might happen? Those of you that
still hold to old outdated rituals and works of the law have not tapped
into a better source, a better hope that takes you into the realm of where
nothing is impossible to them that believe. Again and again we see it all
points to Christ, and our faith and trust in what He has done on our behalf
and not on what we think we need to do. When I see people still holding to
the old law and its works, I see a people that are not taking advantage of
the better hope and way that God provided for His people. Remember, with
many of the children of Israel God was not well pleased with them, and they
ended up being overthrown and they perished in the wilderness because they
sought a path that they thought was better. Today we have the same people
getting the same results, because rather than walk by faith they still
choose to walk by sight, an outward vision that keeps them blinded from the
eternal realm.
Titus 3:4-7 But after that the kindness
and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, (5) Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,
by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (6) Which
he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (7) That being
justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life. (KJV)
Quit trying to figure out what you think
will impress God, but rather realize that your right standing with Him is
based on what you allow the Son to work in you. Remember, we are saved by
grace through faith and not of our own works.
Philippians 2:12-16 Wherefore, my
beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much
more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13)
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good
pleasure. (14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: (15) That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world; (16) Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (KJV)
You know, in conclusion today, we need to
realize that there is someone better, a better hope and confidence that we
can put our trust in so that we can be blameless, without rebuke from our
Father in heaven because we chose to let Him work in us and do what was
pleasing to Him. It is up to you personally to work out or come to a
working knowledge of how our Lord operates, and what He would like to do in
your life. Have you tapped into His realm; have you found a better hope so
that in the end you have not run or labored in vain?
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