You Can Know You Have Eternal Life
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The Divine Mystery Revealed (35)
by Jim Mettenbrink
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Previously, we considered Jesus
death on the cross paid the penalty of the sins for each and
every person who would ever live. Our sins break the fellowship
between man and God. Man does that, not God. Once
fellowship is broken, there is no way man can reestablish it.
He is eternally doomed.
Jesus came in human flesh to fulfill
Gods demand that the Mosaic law (covenant God made with
ancient Israel) be kept perfectly sinlessly. In
so doing, He became the sacrifice (death) to pay the penalty
of our sins. However, on the last Passover evening before
His death, He instructed His disciples, to remember His death.
He
took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of
you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins
(Matthew 26:27,28). If He paid the penalty of our
sin in death, what is the purpose of His blood?
Blood has always been special to
God. In the Old Covenant, He revealed, For the life of the flesh
is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes
atonement for the soul
(Leviticus 17:11). The word atonement literally
means to wipe clean, like removing a stain.
One commandment of the Mosaic law
which only the high priest could fulfill was on the annual Day
of Atonement. The high priest sprinkled the blood of the
sacrifice on the ark of the covenant (Gods dwelling in
the temple) for the nations unintentional sins. Did
that procure the forgiveness (wipe clean) of the nations
sins? No! It only moved the sins up one year until
the next Day of Atonement. Regarding this day, we are reminded,
For
it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take
away sins (Hebrews
10:4). Verse 3 reveals this sacrifice was merely a
reminder of sins. In fact it reminded the people they could
not procure the forgiveness or pardon of their sins by their
own action, even though God had commanded this sacrifice. Hopeless
dilemma!
almost!
Jesus died to pay the penalty of
sin, but approaching the Father
with His own blood He entered
the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption (Hebrew 9:12). The
apostle Paul informed, In
Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
sins, according to the riches of His grace
(Ephesians 1:7). What does it mean to be in Him? More mystery to unfold!
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