Alētheia: Truth

Tag: salvation

  • Useless


    Useless. That’s how my sin makes me feel. Useless. The deep despair in my soul as the darkness grows and the still quiet voice inside me saying – useless. The squandering of my past, the reality of my present and the dim view of my future all leaves me with the feeling of being useless.

    And yet, God intervenes. His glory reigns. The power of the Cross – ever before me – a vivid reminder of the utter pain and suffering of Jesus. The blood and water dripping from his side; his hands and feet pierced for my iniquities. The pain of the crown of thorns tearing through the skin of his brow. Oh, the terrible cost of my sin. Jesus paid it all!

    As I kneel at the cross, looking up,  I see my saviour looking down upon me. The shame and guilt tearing through my soul. Oh how could I have caused such an innocent man to bear my sin. And yet, through his pain and suffering and ultimate death looking down at me through the ages of time, Jesus says, “this blood is for you.”

    I plead Psalm 51.

    1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
    according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
    2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

    3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
    4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
    so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
    5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

    7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    8Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
    9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
    10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
    11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
    12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

    13Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
    14Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
    15O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
    16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
    17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
    build up the walls of Jerusalem;
    19then will you delight in right sacrifices,
    in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
    then bulls will be offered on your altar.

    God’s magnificent grace and mercy poured out on me through His Son. The perfect sacrifice. The brightness of His glory piercing the darkness of my soul. His mercy and steadfast love lifting me out of the utter despair. My eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

    “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! I have been set free, and I am free indeed!

    The darkness has lifted; my iniquities forgiven. The power of the cross is my past, present and my glorious future. I sing aloud the righteousness of God’s glory and love. My sins cleansed. I am no longer useless. The joy of my salvation restored. I sing praises. I am filled with the Holy Spirit. Oh, the power of the cross!

     

  • Foundations – Back to Basics – The 7 Essential Principles of Christian Doctrine


    Salvation as a Free Gift.

    The one question that all other religions struggle with is the fact that there is only one way to heaven and that’s through Jesus. There is no other way into heaven but it is a free gift from God. You cannot earn your way into Heaven. The only way is through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 6:23b tells us that “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    We all must appear before the judgment seat of Jesus and will suffer the eternal punishment of God without the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. But, one must receive this free gift before death – before the judgment. And this free gift – it is from God through Jesus and not of our selves. In other words, you can do nothing to save yourself except through grace and faith in Jesus Christ.

    This free gift is for everyone. Romans 10:9-13 “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

    No other religion in the world offers a free gift. You always have to work your way into heaven, which of course is false in every sense. But, that’s religion – mans attempt to show God he can do good and no one is good, no not one.


  • Day 35 “He is Alive”


    It’s been one year ago since my mother went home to be with the Lord. Though the date is different, she had died on the Saturday before Easter. It’s a bitter-sweet memory. However, remembering her death at the same time of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ simply gives me a peace that transcends all understanding.

    Jesus was crucified for our sins and rose from the grave 3 days later. My mother was saved and was baptized about 5 years before her death. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, my mother now rests in the presence of God the Father and is glorifying Jesus Christ. That gives me peace. Though I miss her, I would not want her back because of where she is – in Heaven. And one day, I will join her. hallelujah!

    This mornings Easter service at Meadow Baptist Church, was one of the greatest blessings of corporate worship that I have ever experienced. To feel the presence of God inhabit the praises of His people, was a marvelous taste of what heaven holds for His children for all of eternity –  basking in the Glory of God.

    Jesus rose from the grave and He lives!!! That gives me strength. Knowing that all authority in Heaven and on the Earth has been given to Him, and through his blood, I stand cleansed from my sin and made righteous. Jesus loves me – a sinner made whole by His unmeasurable grace.

    And now, I tell the world what Jesus has done for me and what he can do for you. If you confess your sins, and believe that He is the Son of God – the Savior of the world and call on His name-you will be saved. Having Jesus in your heart will bring a new life of finding all your joy in God through His Son Jesus.

    Though the road I travel here on this earth is very hard at times, I have the strength to press on because of what Christ has done and not by any thing that I can do, but by His power and for His glory. Amen.

    If you want to know more, just send me a note and I will get more information to you. There is no better time than now to submit your life to Jesus.