Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16.
Another compact—called in Scripture the “old” covenant—was formed between God and Israel at Sinai, and was then ratified by the blood of a sacrifice….
God … gave them [Israel] His law, with the promise of great blessings on condition of obedience: “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then … ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5, 6. The people did not realize the sinfulness of their own hearts, and that without Christ it was impossible for them to keep God’s law; and they readily entered into covenant with God. Feeling that they were able to establish their own righteousness, they declared, “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.” Exodus 24:7. They had witnessed the proclamation of the law in awful majesty, and had trembled with terror before the mount; and yet only a few weeks passed before they broke their covenant with God, and bowed down to worship a graven image. They could not hope for the favor of God through a covenant which they had broken; and now, seeing their sinfulness and their need of pardon, they were brought to feel their need of the Saviour revealed in the Abrahamic covenant, and shadowed forth in the sacrificial offerings….
The terms of the “old covenant” were, Obey and live: “If a man do, he shall even live in them;” but “cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.” Ezekiel 20:11; Leviticus 18:5; Deuteronomy 27:26. The “new covenant” was established upon “better promises”—the promise of forgiveness of sins, and of the grace of God to renew the heart, and bring it into harmony with the principles of God’s law.
The only means of salvation is provided under the Abrahamic covenant.
The Faith I Live By p. 78
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my cousin Roger. He is developmentally disabled and has congestive heart failure. The home he was renting was recently sold and he is homeless. The shelter he stays at only lets them sleep there from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am then he’s out in the cold all day. Lori
—-Please pray for my daughter she popped her jaw and shes in pain. please say a prayer for Maiden Trinity. Jenee
—-Prayer request for my ex sister in-law she is in the hospital with cancer and has been put on hospice. Please pray for her salvation and a miracle upon her life. She is very young and has young children. Her name is Terry. Sandra
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Dear Friends,
When we lived in Michigan, Ron’s family had some friends who had three daughters about the same age as Ron’s sisters. Often we all would get together on Saturday nights for a little social time. One family or the other would think of a game to play and it was a fun time for all. How we looked forward to Saturday nights!
One time they brought a thimble with them to use in a game. We could not imagine what sort of game it would be. We listened carefully as they explained. One person would be “it” and would be sent out of the room while the thimble was hidden. The thimble must be put in plain sight. The person would be called back into the room and the search would begin. The others in the room could guide the person to the thimble by saying, “You’re getting warmer.” or “You’re so cold your freezing.” When the thimble was found, the person who was “it” got to hide it.
When it was Ron’s mother’s turn, she put the thimble on her toe. That thimble was in plain sight, but it was overlooked every time the one who was “it” passed by. He looked high and he looked low, but did not look in the right place. Ron’s mother thought she would help by crossing her legs. Now the thimble stuck out into the center of the room. Still it was overlooked. Finally the rest of the people in the room were able to guide the person who was “it” to look toward Ron’s mother. He looked in her hair, shoulders, hands, under the chair, everywhere but her toes. Everyone’s attention was riveted on the scene and everyone was trying to guide the person to look at Ron’s mother’s feet. Suddenly he caught sight of that shiny thimble. Everyone cheered.
Just as the person who was “it” searched for the thimble with all his energies focused, so we need to search for souls for the Kingdom. Just as the other people in the room were focused on helping him to find the thimble, so all Heaven is watching, hoping, helping, cheering us on that we may bring our family, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow workers to Christ. In Luke 15:4-10, Jesus illustrates the joy that takes place in Heaven when someone accepts Jesus as Saviour and Lord. “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbors together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Think of it! All Heaven is interested in our salvation! All Heaven rejoices when we turn from the path “that leadeth to destruction” (Matt 7:13 ). Paul reminds us, “we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.” 1 Cor 4:9 Think of it! The inhabitants of the Universe watch our first faltering steps toward Heaven and cheer us onward. They are focused on this little planet and what goes on here. And why shouldn’t they be? The One ” Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil 2:6-8
Isaiah prophesies of Him, “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” “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.
Isa 50:4-7;53:3-5
Yet, how often we live our lives with scarcely a thought Heavenward. How often we focus upon ourselves and overlook those around us who need the One Who gave His life that we might have eternal life. They are all around and yet, we do not even notice them. We are so busy living our lives, earning a living, having a good time, that we often fail to speak of His great sacrifice to those who are longing for something better. How often we fail to follow our Dear Redeemer’s example. He left the glories of Heaven and came to this earth to be scorned, ridiculed, rejected, tortured, and die the cruelest of deaths. He did it for each one of us, individually. In view of this wonderful sacrifice, can we not put forth the effort to to bring others to Him? In view of the interest with which all Heaven views each person, can we continue focusing on the mundane?
Let us allow our Dear Saviour to work through us to bring the Good News of Salvation to those around us. Let us remember that all Heaven rejoices when someone comes to our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us daily look away from self and declare as did Isaiah, “Here am I; send me.” Isa 6:8
Rose