Gems worth pondering
March 9
"Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."
(Colossians 1:20)
"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,
and things under the earth."
(Philippians 2:10)
Notice that the things under the earth (i.e., the things in hell) are not named as being reconciled, but they are required to bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. How eternally better to bow the knee now while on earth and be reconciled to the Lord now, than to be forced to bow in hell and then be cast out into outer darkness forever. (Tom Steere)
Jesus, before Thy face we fall - our Lord, our life, our hope, our all:
For we have nowhere else to flee - no sanctuary, Lord, but Thee!
N.J. Hiebert # 3638
March 10
"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth."
(Job 19:25)
Job's life was full of unimaginable pain. He lost everything that men count dear: his family, his health, and his wealth. His friends misunderstood all that was going on. But amidst all the trials and misunderstandings, one bright hope lifted Job above his circumstances - one day, his Redeemer would appear. This certainty kept Job from slipping beneath the waves: He shall appear! Centuries have past since Job's day, but the message of hope remains. Amidst all our trials, the blessed hope of the coming of the Lord keeps us pressing on. He has said, "I will come again." (W.H. Burnett)
N.J. Hiebert # 3639
March 11
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doeth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:1,2)
Now, as it is in the natural relationships of life, so it is in the spiritual. Once a child is born into the world, a relationship is established between the father and the child which can never be broken. And once we are the children of God, a relationship is established between God and us which is eternal. Being brought into this blessing, God looks for a walk and conduct consistent with the position of favour in which His grace has planted us. Having believed on His Son, our sins are all forgiven for His name's sake (1 John 2:12). God will remember them no more forever (Hebrews 10:17). And now we should live without sinning.
The Spirit of God, who dwells in the believer, is the power to enable us to live to God, and to cease from sinning. "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not" (or, in no way) "fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16).
Having believed in Christ, not only are our sins forgiven, but Christ having died to sin, we are dead with Him, and exhorted to reckon ourselves so, and alive to God in Christ Jesu, who lives to die no more. We are delivered from the dominion of sin, called to yield ourselves to God, and to bring forth fruit to Him (Romans 6:11-13, 22) (E.H.C.)
N.J. Hiebert # 3640
