THE GREATEST of MIRACLES!

The good news of the gospel remains the same forever: there is forgiveness, cleansing and deliverance for the sin-sick soul who is tired of his sin, and cries out to God for mercy.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion is the most important fact of Christianity. The miracle of all miracles!
Because of this wonderful event, when you acknowledge Christ as Lord & Saviour, an entirely new life is born out of Him. But until that moment, you remain dead in your transgressions and cannot enter into the knowledge of God's Word.
The non-spiritual man does not and indeed cannot, understand or accept the things of God. They are foolishness to him. 1 Corinthians 2:14
Even a genius is 'blind' to the truth of the Word of God.
'How can a man be born when he is old?' Nicodemus asked Jesus.
Although Nicodemus was a devout and religious man, Jesus had to explain the reality of his life - he was a sinner and needed to be saved.

If you don't consider yourself a sinner then read what God has to say on the matter.
'For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' Romans 3:23'
You were created out of the first Adam and are therefore dead in your trespasses.
'All your righteous acts are like filthy rags in my sight.' Isaiah 64:6
What is sin?
The Dictionary definition of the word: Transgression against divine law: disobedience to the requirements of the law of God.
Put simply, failing to come up to the required standard - missing the mark!
Sin is that curse which causes you to be separated from God. He is not able to look upon you in your sinful state. When Adam listened to Eve and ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge, the eyes of their conscience were immediately opened.
Nothing is hidden from God and as a result of their disobedience, Adam & Eve was cast out of the Garden of Eden and mankind, cursed forever.
Perhaps to our finite minds the penalty far exceeds the crime. After all they only ate an apple, but to God there are no larger or smaller sins - sin is Sin!
God is Holy and cannot look upon sin, at all.

However, the wonderful news is this; there is a plan of salvation by which mankind can become reconciled to Him - through Jesus Christ.
'I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.'

Paul doesn't mince his words when he says;
'All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' Romans 3:23
There are no exceptions - you are born into this world tainted with Adams original sin.
It is a matter of pride and foolishness to believe there is any good in you and you deceive yourself, if you claim you are without sin.
Surely, no further proof is needed than to look at the present state of the world and the awful reality, of mans inhumanity to man.
Almost everyday you can see through the medium of television and newspapers, the awful effects of 'godlessness' - nations that have turned their backs on God and gone their own way. In our own prosperous and democratic country you are also witnessing the breakdown of law and order, and suffering the awful consequences of disobedience to God.
Without a doubt Gods anger is simmering against us. The evidence is already in place. Take time to read Romans 1 & 2:
He will give us over to all kinds of depravity and godless behaviour before his anger finally boils over and He makes His move.

The message of the cross is foolishness to the non-spiritual person but for those who are being saved, it brings strength and hope. God has done everything necessary. He can do no more!
The Word of God is the only means available for bringing sinners to eternal life. God chooses 'the foolishness of preaching' to reach man's heart. Unbelievers must be told the gospel message.
They must hear from what and the reason why they need to be saved, and by whom they can be reconciled.
The rest you must leave up to God - you cannot save a soul!

It is a sad fact that there are unhappy Christians living mediocre or miserable lives, simply because they will not repent of their sinfulness.
Whilst you have been set free from the law of sin and death, as with Adam you have 'free-will' and the choice to sin, or not. It is an act of will and you process the decision.
Our conscience is a finely tuned instrument and responds immediately, and you know we have sinned against God.
When from time to time you have doubts that you are a Christian, try doing something 'sinful' - you will quickly know you have offended your Father in heaven. God hates sin and is angry when you won't let go of it.
It not only hurts you but also those around you
However, there is available to you in The Word of God, the means by which you can resist and overcome any temptation.
Read Proverbs - the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
Paul exhorts you to work out your salvation and run the race with perseverance.

Let us first consider that sin always has consequences. God is holy and cannot look upon sin. 'Your sins have turned my face away.'
All sin is known to God and will immediately affect your relationship with Him, even though it may have been conducted in secret.
Just as Adam's sin continues to affect the whole of mankind, never under estimate the effects of your sinfulness.
Sin affects your relationship with others, particularly those with whom you are closely involved on a personal level and within the corporate body of the fellowship in which you worship.

The eventual consequence of continuing in any act of disobedience (sinning) is akin to committing 'spiritual' suicide'. Suicide is defined as 'action destructive to ones own interest' and I make no apologies for using such strong language. I seek only to impress the seriousness of disbelief and I believe, the root-cause of many problems.
Sin blunts the conscience and first you deceive yourself, and so much so, your Christian walk becomes an affront to a Holy God.
Sinning undermines faith and eventually throttles the spiritual life, even though you may continue to put on a brave face and go through the motions of attending Meetings and Services.
If Satan can't trip you up some other way, pride rarely fails!

Without a doubt the sinner will feel the effects of His chastisement- until they acknowledge the error of their ways and turn back to God in true repentance.
Repentance
Despite the fact that the Bible enforces it, commands it and demands it, repentance also seems a most unpopular and neglected doctrine in the modern-day church.
It is enforced in Scripture and all the Epistles are written to show men how to repent - so there is no excuse for any misunderstandings.
'If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.'
Therefore, it is vitally important that we begin to renew our minds, with an act of repentance.

Let us first consider, what repentance is?
Is it conviction of sin?
Conviction is a part of repentance and you can be convicted, but not repent. Conviction is not enough - it is not repentance.

Is sorrow repentance?
No, it is not enough to be sorry for our sins - more than tears, is needed.
If repentance is not conviction and not sorrow, then what is it?

Is it promising to do better?
No - some have been doing that for years and yet are further from God, than ever.

To repent - is turning away from sin, to God.
It is a decision of the will and an act of faith.
It is letting-go of that sin which enslaves you - killing it off. Getting hold of your 'curse' by the hair of its head and tearing it out by the roots.
Pride is one, pride of face, place or of race, and can be as damning as drunkenness.
We need saving from our good self, our religious self, our spiritual self - as much as from our bad self!
Satan is so subtle he will hinder us by our goodness, as well as our badness. If he cannot alienate us from God, he will hinder us by our self-righteousness and if we are not on our guard, will come as an angel of light.

Repentance is the foundation for a changed life and a necessary requirement of God. True repentance includes sorrow for sin and a contrite heart. The heart breaks with sighs and sobs and groans.
'A loving God and Father is offended by sin, a blessed Saviour is crucified afresh and the Spirit, our Comforter is grieved and vexed.
It is the moral response of the awakened soul to the call of God, the home of the soul.' (Andrew Murray)

Repentance is a continuing need. If you are unhappy and feeling out of touch with your Lord, I urge you to prayerfully look within and search for unconfessed sin. The way back into fellowship with God is through the door of forgiveness. Consider the words of this hymn, as your prayer.
'Search me O God and know my heart today;
Try me, O Lord, and know my thoughts I pray:
See if there be some wicked way in me,
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.'
Confess before the Lord with a contrite heart. No matter whatever the sin, forgiveness will follow and your sin will be remembered, no more. Hallelujah!
Be disappointed yes, but don't be too hard on yourself. Learn from your mistakes and do better next time. Sanctification is an ongoing process throughout your life here on earth and you are continually being renewed through the washing of the Word.
'We do not lose heart, we are being renewed day by day.'
'No, in all things we are more than conquerors.' Romans 8:37
Be assured, nothing can separate you from the love of God!

Guilt
There was a time in my life when I was almost overwhelmed by guilt and it affected every area of my daily walk. I was oppressed and guilt robbed me of all self-confidence. So much so, I scuttled about furtively or walked with my head bowed, if I ventured out at all. I felt like a 'reject' and inferior to my Christian friends. Satan taunted me and robbed me totally, of the moral courage to do anything!
It was a torturous time but only when it almost paralysed my life, did I
face and learn to deal with the issue.
I had asked God to forgive me and He had, but I didn't rest on the promises of His Word. 'Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.' Romans 8:1
I was unable to forget my responsibility in the decision to sin and I soon took the sin and its guilt back onto my own shoulders.

Nothing can alter the fact of what has happened but God tells us not to dwell in the past
Isaiah 43:18-19 says; 'forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing.'
We must leave the past where it belongs and be willing to move on.

Imagine the courtroom scene: You are standing in the dock. The jury having heard all the evidence has just delivered their verdict. Guilty as charged!
You brace yourself as the Judge rises to pronounce sentence. Just at that moment Jesus strides into the courtroom and commands you leave the dock. He stands in your place as the Judge pronounces the death sentence, the due punishment for sin.
Jesus accepts the punishment and you walk out of court a free man. Jesus is taken away to be crucified, in your place.
He cries out in agony as his hands and feet are nailed to the cross. The cross is placed on the hill at Calvary, for all to see. Death does not come quickly but Jesus eventually cries out to His Father in Heaven, 'it is done!'

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He was born of a virgin, Mary, exactly as prophesied in the Old Testament. By his death at Calvary, he not only took our sins on his shoulders but also the due consequences, the guilt and the punishment.
Because of this our page in the Book of Life is covered in the shed blood of Jesus. There is no longer any evidence to convict!
'I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins, no more.' Jeremiah 31:34 '
Once we grasp this wonderful truth, it will set us free and we shall be free indeed!
My chains fell off, my heart was free.
I rose went forth and followed Thee.'

The Word of God contains everything necessary for life and godliness.
All the promises of God are available to you now. Eternal life begins here on earth!
Your new life does not consist of our old lives cleaned up and changed for the better. There is no longer a past life!
The new man cannot be held responsible for the old life and its deeds and works, once they have been laid at the foot of the cross. Christ is the source of our spiritual life. The man who is living in us now, was not there before. He is a heavenly ma n out of the heart of Christ and formed from His substance, without a blemish and straight from heaven, so that your life is altogether new, divine and Christ given.
You are risen with Him and will appear with Him in glory - hallelujah!
You have a new nature.

The good news of the gospel remains the same; there is forgiveness, cleansing and deliverance for the sin-sick soul who is tired of his sin, and cries out to God for mercy. He is the same awesome unchangeable God of the Old Testament and we are assured there will be a Judgement Day, when everyone will come face to face with Almighty God.
Sadly, for the person without hope this day will loom with fear.
For the Believer this will be a wonderful day and holds no fear at all. Your page in the Book of Life is covered in blood and there is no longer any evidence to convict you. Your sins are no more and you will reign with Him, forever - hallelujah!
The joy of Heaven or the torment of Hell is forever. The world today needs to understand this message.

God has already done everything necessary. He can do no more!


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