The Power of "One Act"

"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men."  (Romans 5:18, NASB)

A lot of devotionals have stories.  I have tried, but alas.

Our text is a "story" which trumps all stories.  "The Word of God," tells us that with all my sins, with all your sins, with all the sins of humanity, from the most evil tyrants to the everyday sinner, "one act of righteousness," brought forgiveness to any of sinful humanity who repents of sin, goes into the waters of baptism confessing, receiving, following Jesus.

Think of it today: "One act of righteousness."  Humanists love to complicate life; it keeps most of them employed.  Bible "answers" are just too simple.  To most, the human dilemma needs much study, debate, reasoning, counseling, seminars, books, schools, religious institutions, philosophy.  In the face of this there is, "One act of righteousness."  Verse 12 tells us that sin entered humanity by one person.  Verse 15 tells us, "But the free gift is not like the transgression.  For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of  God and gift by the grace of the One Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many."

This, "One act," is the Cross, where Jesus suffered, Shed His Most Precious Blood, died.  He then arose from the grave, thereby "sealing" our redemption.  One of my readings today said, "Consider Jesus."  I have, do, and ever shall.

Father, in Jesus' Name, only You could save me in, "One act...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"All Of One"

"For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one....Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."  (Hebrews 2)

Try this: Jesus became "one of us" that we may become, "all of one, "in Him and in fellowship with one another.

Before, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us," mankind had the heavens declaring the glory of God, and we had some of, "the Words of God," in Scripture.  And as such, contemplating the Universe became thought speculation, and, there appeared many interpretations of His Words.  But then, "the Word became flesh," that is, no written words to be interpreted, no wondering of just what all, "the heavens declare...."  The majority of humanity, however, said, "No thanks."

I today say, Thank You Father, thank You Jesus, and thank You Holy Spirit that You revealed Yourself Perfectly in the Perfect One, Jesus.  Jesus went to the depths of our sin and suffering to free us from the depths of sin and suffering.  Jesus, "bore our griefs (sicknesses) and carried our sorrows (pain)."  What is more, Jesus saves us from the judgement of the Living Triune God, the Great White Throne Judgement.  And, "through death He [destroyed] him who had the power of death...."  Jesus forever declares to humanity, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And he whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."

"Out of the Ivory Palaces into a world of woe.  Only His great Eternal Love made my Savior go."  Think today about God Who could have left us in our sin and rebellion.  Think of how, perhaps, He could have waved His hand and just said, "I forgive all of you."  But according to God Himself, "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."  So, what did this Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace do for you and me?  "He Himself 'shared the same things in the same way'" (CEB).  And after He, "shared the same things in the same way," as we, He then, as Peter put it, "bore our sins in His Own Body on the tree," and rose from the dead.  (This will preach.)

Father, in Jesus' Name, I will never fully comprehend, "so great a salvation," but I can and do so thank You!  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Command in Worship

"Let all the angels of God worship Him." (Hebrews 1:6b)

God has revealed Himself throughout history and spoken, "....at various times and in various ways...."  Hebrews 1 says that in Jesus, Father has spoken His "Last" Word.  This, "Word of  God," Jesus, is the Word of Father, "Worship Him."

When we lost Stephen, I was "gone."  As you may recall, our Lord was able eventually to "get through" to me, and to me in His Words.

I have pondered that often over the years, and today a thought occurred to me.  I was not reading some sort of "cathartic" book.  I was reading the history of humanity, the triumphs, the defeats, ecstatic joy followed by sadness and depression-- it's all "in there."  Yet perhaps of greatest "value" was the fact that I was, at least in some sense, getting out of myself.  You see, it was "myself" which was the problem.  I had, and still have, a choice: what to do with what comes my way, viz., looking to me, or, "looking to Jesus."

Today I read our text.  It is all about Jesus.  There is no mention that I am wonderful and can "do anything if you put your mind to it."  Hebrews 1 does not speak of "overcoming faith"; it does not talk of getting prayers answer, etc., etc.  Hebrews 1 speaks of Jesus, Who He Is, His glory, His Eternalness, "'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever'....And, 'Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundation of the earth....They will perish, but You remain.'"  And so will all those who put their trust in Jesus.

Hebrew 1 for me is worship in the most beautiful, powerful sense.  It is comparable for me to Psalm 145, which I read in the US Supreme Court Building this past Monday.  Worship is not singing about me, nor even what Jesus has done for me.  Worship is: "Let all the angels of God worship Him."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I worship You, Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  Thank You so much for showing Yourself to humanity in Jesus.  Amen.

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Glorious time in DC

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2