Tag: salvation

  • Rebellion Since the Beginning

    Rebellion Since the Beginning

    An ancient itch we cannot seem to scratch is our ongoing inherited sin nature. The one we inherited at the fall of man, but it began with Lucifer’s rebellion.

    His pride and arrogance, in rebelling against God got him him cast out of the presence of God, to this place, space realm we occupy, under his tempting and influence mankind gave in and joined him in rebellion.

    No surprise to Him, God being omniscient, anticipated this and provided a gateway out. That gate is narrow is down a narrow lit path and comes at a cost which was a sacrifice by God through His Son Jesus.

    Jesus, fully man and fully God, manifest himself here taking the form of a man, though having the spiritual embodiment of God to relate to our circumstances and lead us out of rebellion.

    The cost to take the opening, provide by God? We have to lose ourselves and submit ourselves individually to God’s headship and authority, essentially ending our rebellion.

    Unfortunately, it doesn’t come easy, is timely for everyone and doesn’t happen to everyone.

    God, being all loving offers this path to everyone, but being all knowing also knows who will elect to take it.

    This is the opportunity for every person, end our rebellion against God and submit ourselves to His great mercy by accepting His prescribed path through Jesus.

    Many will stumble and not argue that they should not have to conform to this prescriptive path and be able to choose their own, that suits their own needs, thereby creating a god of their own design, with its own path, continuing and finalizing their rebellion against God, choosing Satan.

    “…for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,’ and ‘A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.” ~1 Peter 2:7-8

    “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” ~ Matthew 12:30

    “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” ~ Matthew 7:13-14

  • A Warning Against Neglect

    A Warning Against Neglect

    In a 1st century letter to Philemon, Paul of Tarsus and his friend Timothy write to Philemon and those with him a warning. The warning is not just for the first century, it is an enduring warning. It is informed by the tendency of humans to slip or drift back to a place where we let our inherited sin nature overrule what we know to be our calling, against neglecting the salvation offered by God, essentially finalizing rebellion against God.

    “…we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” ~ Hebrews 2:1-4 English Standard Version (ESV)

    This drifting away is changing the story of salvation, neglecting it, embracing rebellion against God. Ending the hope of any who follow this wrong path to enter into a relationship with God.