Wherefore did God give the Promise of Reconciliation of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Indeed, by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross, He has "obtained eternal redemption for us." (Hebrews 9:12c.) And by such will of God "we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ...For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before ((speaking in the prophet Jeremiah in verses 31:33-34)), This is the new covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:10,14-17.)
But "if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here ((in this world)) in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received BY TRADITION from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1_Peter 1:17-23.)
But if you understand not what this means, hear the word of the Lord, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3b-f.) Does this trouble you? "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:7,5e-f.) Yes, it is only by way of the Lord Jesus the Saviour, as He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6b-f.)
Does fear now overtake you in any way? Hear the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do ((to you)). But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." (Luke 12:4-5.)
© March 4, 1997, The Standard Bearer
P.O. Box 765, O.O.B., ME 04064
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