“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17
Perhaps maybe a strange point at which to start a message but in hopes of bringing a truth in perceiving our Lord Jesus in this light, I believe it to be God’s will to start here.
Over the years I’m sure all of us have heard the verse John 3:16 time and time again and very well so. Probably the most quoted verse in the entire Bible, even by the world and those, who do not even know our Lord in the free forgiveness of sin.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
The reason I have chosen verse 17 is to look at this verse in a way not normally brought out. This verse lines up with the whole theme in scripture and the reason Jesus came into this world in the first place.
Before we get into the message we see in this, I want to quote this verse the way it really hit home with me.
First we see how it is quoted:
“For God sent “not” his Son into the world to “condemn” the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
What I want to bring out in this precious truth: Jesus came not into this world to condemn but rather He came into this world “to be” condemned.
He came “to be” condemned.
Had Jesus come just to condemn, He would only have been a continuation of the “law of Moses,” which did condemn.
He went so far as tell the Pharisee, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.” John 5:45
If there ever were anyone whom He might condemn, you would think if would be the self righteous Pharisee. Nevertheless on the cross he prayed,
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34
To condemn was not the reason He came.
They were already condemned by the “law” they were trusting. “Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.” Psalm 69:22 Romans 11:9
The same is true today for anyone trusting in themselves for righteousness regardless of who they are because they are already condemned.
As the scriptures record of our Lord.
“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but “for this cause” came I unto this hour….” John 12:37
In the years before Christ came into this world. His people Israel were shut up and that under the law and in bondage due to fallen man’s ability to come up to and fulfill and meet the righteous demand of the law.
We Gentiles, in the sight of the Jew, were little more than dogs, but not under the “law” of Moses in the same way as the Jew. Nevertheless we are still guilty sinners before the Lord. More on this we will see in the verses further down this page.
Before we go on, I want to point out something many believers have overlooked and seemingly far too many preachers behind pulpits fail to see.
“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the “oracles” of God.” Romans 3:1-2
The “oracles” of God spoken of here are the Old Testament scriptures and the “law” of Moses and the prophets.
The reason I mention this is simply because these were “never” committed unto the Gentiles in the first place, only unto the Jew.
“For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)” Romans 2:12-13
Before anyone jumps to the conclusion and connect “doers” or “works” of the “law” as the means or way to redemption, remember first to rightly divide the word of truth as shown in the verses below.
“For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Exodus 24:8
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry.
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:19-22
The “law” of Moses being read before the eyes of the people of Israel then “followed” by the sprinkling of the “blood.”
are “by the law” purged with blood.
The law itself cries out for judgment against those who have broken it. The laws cries for “Justice” to be served and demands “death” and the shedding of “blood,” in order to be satisfied. To claim redemption by trying to live up to it’s holy requirements is totally insane.
Looking further into the message in the scripture above, Romans 2:12-13,
the “sinned” has to do with rejecting what “light” they have received.
While the “law” itself could not produce nor give “life,”
yet, the “law” was “a” light but not “the” light.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and “a light” unto my path.”
Psalm 119:105
As seen in the much quoted verse above, this is Old Testament scripture and long before, Christ “The” light came into the world. Long before we had the New Testament written word and the “Light” we now have in Christ.
In Psalm 119:105 is seen “a light” in the law. The law was the “guide” to those walking by faith in that day, yet it was the “blood” of the substitute, the blood of the lamb that covered their sin, not the law itself.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.” Psalm 119:1
“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” Psalm 119:156
The “law” led, the law guided and the law gave “a light” to follow for those who obeyed it. Yet this same law pointed to the “blood sacrifice.”
There are numerous scriptures in the Old Testament making reference to “a light” given and the blessings for walking in that “light” of the law. After all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the “law” of Moses. It is “….Holy, just and good…..” Romans 7:12
The trouble comes when that “light” of the “law” is replaced with the idea that supposedly living by it apart from the “blood” sacrifice is the means of redemption.
Years later and the event when Christ is come into the world, He is not “a light” but “The Light” of the world.
Even though “The Light” suffered darkness over all the whole face of the earth on Mt. Calvary. It was during this time, the leading, guiding “light” of the dispensation under the law ending and the dispensation of grace coming into full force following the death and resurrection of “The Light.” Now the “Light” of the resurrected Christ Jesus was to be followed rather than the “guiding light” of the law of Moses.
Christ was the last lamb offered on the cross under the curse of the “law.”
He was the same lamb, the law had pointed to from the beginning of the law.
Where Christ came into this world “to be” condemned.
The “light” we now walk in, Jesus Christ The Light of the world. The true “light” and true “Life” are inseparable. Christ and His word are inseparable also. John 1:1
That light of the law was to be followed as a guide (schoolmaster for the Jew) as recorded in Galatians, but not as the means of redemption. To do so causes “works” to replace “faith.”
“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21
Also important to remember, the “schoolmaster,” the law, was for the Jew and not the Gentile. We Gentiles were never under the law in this respect in the first place. This is easily seen if we but only “rightly divide the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:16
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:…” Romans 2:12-14
We also need to remember, the only people recognized in the above verses are Jew and Gentile. As far as God is concerned there are only three classes of people, the Jew the Gentile and the (Church, the body of born again believers.) And in these, God only sees two classes of people, the lost and the saved.
We all in God’s eyes are in one of these places. Jew, Gentile or Bride of Christ. The Bride of Christ is seen as “one.” Galatians 3:28
All of Romans as well as all the New Testament were written after Jesus went back to heaven. The Gentiles were never under the “law” of Moses even while Christ walked on this earth, let alone after He went back to heaven. Matthew 10:5-7 records this. The Kingdom of heaven message was to the nation Israel, not to the Gentiles.
So why in heavens name can any preacher or anyone else try to put the Gentile bride of Christ or even the lost Gentile sinner back under the “law” of Moses seeing we were never under the “law” in the first place? This walks rough shod over Romans 10:4 “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Putting a born again believer back under the “law” is totally insane.
Someone will ask why spend so much time hitting this subject? It’s simply because it is still an issue and it puts those who are weak in the faith trying to live for God and that under the law. It robs them of the “liberty” they already have in Christ Jesus and are never allowed to —–grow in grace.….
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” II Peter 3:17-18
Spiritually anemic believers in the faith, living in fear too much of their lives and many just giving up altogether.
But there is hope for the “oh ye of little faith” believers. There will always be a few that have walked their road before them and willing to, by the scriptures, show there is the “better” way and the “liberty” to be enjoyed in Christ Jesus, out from under the yoke of bondage.
The law robs and puts under bondage and steals the liberty found in Christ Jesus.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Not the “yoke” of bondage under the law of Moses, but the “yoke” of Peace and Liberty found only in full surrender unto Christ Jesus.
Remember our text verse in this message” “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;…” John 3:17
He came to be condemned. On the cross, He came under the full weight of the “curse” of the law, the condemnation, the eternal death penalty for sin. In our place and in our stead, not only dying “for” us but also dying “as” us. When He cried out, My God my God why hast thou forsaken me?” He was crying out also “as” me and “as” you. He came to deliver us from the “yoke” of bondage of sin and place us under His “yoke” of “liberty. My “yoke” is easy and My burden is “light.”
You see, even we Gentiles, not actually under the “law” of Moses, yet under the curse of sin. Remember the scripture: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are “a law” unto themselves:
Which “shew” the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)….” Romans 2:14-15
The conscience, when exposed to the truth, “light,” whether by the law of Moses or by the convicting power of The Holy Spirit when the preaching of the cross is before us. Our conscience will convict and condemn us.
Though not under the “law” of Moses, nevertheless our “conscience also bearing witness.” We simply know right from wrong. “……to know good and evil:…..” Genesis 3:22
This light was put into our hearts even when we were born.
“That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9
Not referring to as if everyone who comes into this world is automatically saved. The light imparted into the heart at birth is God’s common grace and reveals to everyone his/her need of Him.
Everyone of us will know at some point in life when we realize there must be accountability for our actions. We know, because this light tells us so.
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…” Romans 1:19-21
This is the reason, that even the so called atheist will deny and say there is no God and yet he himself becomes his own god and worships himself instead of God. Trying to deny a God whom he denies existence but does not realize this same God must exist before he can deny Him.
It is in the heart of every individual that comes into this world to worship something. He cannot escape this light.
Only Christ Jesus can fill that vast emptiness and darkness in the human heart. The “law” cannot do it. The conscience knows it, but cannot fill it.
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:13 The “will” of man will try to do it but cannot fill it.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:…” John 1:12
“But as many as received him…..”
There is no power to redeem in the “conscience.” Nor in the “will of man.” There is no power except in the “power” of God, through the shed “blood” of Christ Jesus. Cursed, condemned, in our place. Came “to be” condemned.
I want to pause right here and bring to our heart’s attention the important theme of this message. If I accomplish none other than this truth in this, let it be:
The day will never come, whether it was in the days before we were saved, or the day in which we now walk, or in any day we will ever walk until our Lord calls us home. He has “never” condemned us. He will never “condemn” us, now, or at any time will He “condemn” us. This is not the reason He came. All the condemning concerning Him was He, Himself, came “to be” condemned in our place.
Children, this truth should behoove us to love, live and give our lives unto and trust Him.
Our flesh will condemn us. At times our conscience will condemn us. The world will condemn us and our adversary will certainly continue to condemn us. The legalistic people will continue to condemn us. They will always be out with their microscopes.
“And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:…” Galatians 2:4
Their purpose and calling in life seems to always be looking for our faults and failures in order to bring us into the bondage of their mold.
Even our own hearts, at times, will condemn us. This is because we fail and give into temptation and sin and place ourselves back under the “law” of “knowing better,” so to speak, and we fail to remember we have an “advocate” and that in Christ Jesus. Our hearts condemn us when we look to ourselves and forget we still live in fallen flesh and still have to live with the old nature we were born with. We are not relying on the precious Holy Spirit and be led by Him.
I want to mention right here, the greatest cure and being able to resist temptation and feeling condemned, is the full surrender of our hearts and lives and will to our precious Lord.
What makes this so important is, in doing so, He will take up His rightful place in our hearts. He becomes our life and we find ourselves living in His presence, enjoying His peace, liberty and power. The last thing we want to do is to allow anything to come between us and our Lord and lose the sweet fellowship and joy in serving Him. In His presence there is power to overcome the things that tempt us and condemn us.
As we go forward ——-
Yes, condemnation would dominate with the vengeance of God the Father hating sin, “without” our “Advocate” in His Precious Son. The curse would be upon us. “BUT”
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34
Now even The Father cannot “condemn” us without forgetting:
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37
Children, never let anyone condemn you.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Now having said all this, below is a verse that mine adversary brought to my attention and used in “trying” to make me “see” a contradiction in God’s word. This, by the way, put me to digging and praying, Lord, please help me here. I believe thy word and there are no errors, neither are there any contradictions in it.
I know the problem is always with me due to me not understanding the context or failing to grasp the subject at hand.
It never will be God’s word which would seem to contradict itself. So, when any of us run up against times like this we need to keep digging, keep praying, keep studying and asking God to show us what He is talking about.
I will give you a little heads-up right here.
Not only will our wretched adversary constantly point out so called errors in scripture. “…..Yea, hath God said…….” Genesis 3:1
Even our corrupt flesh and old nature will do the same. Neither one of these love God nor are either one subject to love Him. Both have to constantly be drug to the foot of the cross and crucified.
The inner man thriving on the word of God and led by the Holy Spirit alone will be the one to follow. It is the Hidden Christ in us that we must obey and follow.
So now I want to bring the verse into our subject and look at what God is saying instead of the contradiction per-se.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15
“And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” John 9:39
What I am interested in here is “For judgment I am come into this world,……”
Seeing how up to this point I have made much of “Jesus came into this world to be condemned.” John 3:17
Now looking at John 5:39, there seems to be a contradiction to this.
But is there?
To begin with, we need to get into the setting and context of what is going on. The story at hand in this passage of scripture is concerning the man that was “born blind.” This is the man Jesus made clay and put on his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool Siloam, which he did and came seeing.
Then the man meets up with the Pharisees who question him concerning who opened his eyes. The argument sorta heats up between the man and the Pharisees to where at some point “they cast him out” of the Synagogue, at a later time.
That’s a very short briefing of the context at hand. Now getting back to the verse in question. “For judgment I am come into this world…” verse 39.
First look at the two words, one word in John 3:17 and then second word in John 5:39. These words are “to” and then the word “for.”
In John 3:17 the word “to” is connected with the “law” of Moses where Jesus is “to be” condemned and meet the righteous demand of the law on the cross.
In John 9:39, in the context, Jesus runs headlong into the Pharisees and their rejection of Jesus Himself. Here, Jesus is a witness “for.” “And this is the condemnation, that “light” is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19.
Not that the “law” has now come into the world. The “law” had already been in the world for hundreds of years.
Now, “the light” has come into the world and Jesus of course being that light.
The judgment here is simply this:
The pharisees now have no excuse, no cloaks to hide behind. The Promised Messiah they knew very well from the Old Testament Scrolls and the very one they expected to come, is now standing right before their very eyes and yet they are totally blind and do not see who He is and now rejecting Him.
So here, He Himself, is not condemning them as under the “law,” the which, He came “to be” condemned, but rather they are actually condemning themselves in rejecting Christ Jesus the “True Light.”
They, relying on the law of Moses, “a light,” a guide, but totally blinded due to unbelief to “The Light” of the Gospel.
This same principal is shown in
Hebrews chapter 10:26-27 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.”
To reject Christ, leaves nothing left to go back to. The “law” being fulfilled and now the New Covenant of Grace brought in by Christ Jesus and the new and better way.
This is the judgment the scripture is referring to in this place. Of all people, these highly learned pharisees should have known. Just like it was with Nicodemus when our Lord asked him,
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?” John 3:10
And so very interesting is this poor, outcast, blind, man who had never seen Jesus with his natural eyes, nor had been able to read the scrolls but “saw” Jesus with the “eyes” of faith. Knowing in himself, just a sinner in need of both sets of his eyes, his “eyes” being opened, natural and spiritual eyes.
These pharisees on the other hand could not “see” or “understand” they were “blind.” Yes, they saw Jesus with their natural eyes but not with their spiritual eyes. Of course their spiritual eyes were dead and blinded due to unbelief.
“And this is the condemnation, that “light” is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19
As mentioned just a few verses back up the page. “And this is the condemnation.” These condemned themselves in loving “darkness” rather than “light,” Jesus being the light.
Jesus had taken away all their excuses. “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39
Trusting in their own self righteousness in the “law,” they were “blind” to the one who came to fulfill the “law” in their place and stead, coming “to be” condemned in their place and stead.
Not only are the Pharisees, who are trusting the law, which by the way is their least problem when compared to their larger problem of rejecting “the light,” (Jesus.)
This is shown in Hebrews, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” Hebrews 10:28-29
This is the sin that sends people to hell, the rejection of Christ Jesus. For now, He has come into the world and fulfilled the “law” of Moses, taking the “curse” in their place. Now with the “Truth,” “The Light,” standing right before their eyes and they reject Him.
Oh the simplicity of the Gospel, confessing we are sinners and calling upon His Name for salvation! It really is that simple, realizing ourselves to be lost and simply calling upon the Name of The Lord.
The “for” in John 9:39 is a witness against the self righteous Pharisee, who are already condemned by the law they trust but now rejecting the “light” of the world and also who,
“judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life,…” Acts 13:46
How sad it is to reject the ever so precious Lord Jesus who came “to be” condemned and freely give life and peace and liberty to whosoever believeth.
Jesus is the end of the law for: “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Romans 10:4
But to the unbelieving Jew, they will meet up with both, the law of Moses and Christ in judgment at the resurrection of the dead.
Also their condemnation is seen in the last couple verses in John 9:40-41
“And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.”
When they say “we see,” they are looking at their self righteousness in the “law” and not as the blind man who was blind and yet “saw” Jesus by faith.
Had they confessed, as the blind man, we also are blind, “sinners” in need of their eyes being opened, they would not have been guilty of “seeing” Jesus with their eyes and rejecting the “light,” who they saw.
“Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin.”
The “sin” here is not in reference to sin in general as “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
The “sin” here is the sin of the rejection of the light, Christ Jesus. Once again, this is the sin that got them in trouble and also everyone else who rejects Christ Jesus now.
As stated concerning the scriptures, John 3:17 and John 9:39 do not contradict when rightly divided.
One more point of interest here that came to mind is this.
I will sorta step out on a limb a little here and bring out a thought that came to me, hopefully not too far removed from the scriptures. I may see more clearly in this view later.
These pharisees were putting their trust in themselves, thinking they were righteous, in keeping the “law” of Moses.
When I consider what I have said in other messages concerning the law is this: The only one who could fulfill the “law” will have to be the one who gave it in the first place.
You will say, well, God gave it. Well, yes, but who fulfilled it?
Remember Calvary? came “to be” condemned.
Who is the Word and is the “law” God’s word? The reason I mention this is, for a moment, look at the setting in this. The blind man, Jesus and the Pharisees.
Here we have these self righteous Pharisees and the “law” giver standing right before them, yet rejecting the very same “Jesus” who had to be the one who wrote the “law” in the first place. Certainly a double “Jeopardy” if ever there was one.
Some will say, well, the finger of God wrote the law.
Have you not read where Jesus said “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am?” John 8:58
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14
How many “I Am’s” are there?
At any rate, these Christ rejecting Pharisees are in a heap of trouble.
So are the legalistic preachers of our day.
Gonna stop this message here for now. May come back and add more later.
In the mean time dear children, live not under the yoke of bondage, trying to please God in the works of the flesh and the power we try to muster up. Just in simple faith and trusting our precious Lord in surrendering to Him and leaving the outcome in His hands. One thing for sure, if we try and do it ourselves, we will only make a real mess of our lives.
Children, if it does not stir our hearts when we think on this message and see Christ Jesus who’s purpose was to come into this world, “to be” condemned in the “stead of me” and in the “stead of you,” if this does not make us want to give our all back to Him, then I do not know what else can be done for us.
Let us not make the same mistakes of the foolish Galatians mentioned below.
“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
Remembering in all this:
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29
A little lengthy in the scriptures below but sums up this message:
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:1-22
Children, let us come out from under the law, the “yoke of bondage” and live in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free. Not free to sin but free indeed, to love, worship and serve Christ Jesus who on the tree won the battle of freedom and made us free indeed.
Saved by Grace, feeding on grace, walking in grace, led by The Holy Spirit, every need being met by grace, and finding our place, at the foot of the cross, surrendered to Christ and living in the perfect peace and the law of “Liberty” found only in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Corinthians 3:17
Living and loving every minute surrendered unto Him, who is my “peace and liberty.”
Thank You Jesus for coming, “to be” condemned for and as me.
Out of human reach, found only at His feet,
In Him my life complete, enjoying love’s feast.