Monday, December 28, 2015

God gives Us Life

Scripture: Ruth 4:15
“May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

Insights: This week we will be looking at the parallel between Boaz the kinsman redeemer and Jesus the Kinsman redeemer of all who will receive Him.  The first aspect we will look at today is the fact that the kinsman/Kinsman redeemer gives life.  Notice in today’s verses the women of the community say to Naomi her grandson is her restorer of life.  You will recall in chapter three there is an interchange where Naomi identifies herself among the dead, but now she is being identified as one having life restored to her.  This picture is the same of all humanity.  We are all born dead in our trespasses and sin because all have fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death.  Yet, God loves us and extends to us the offer of heaven as a free gift.  One of the problems is many people try to save themselves, but this notion is a joke because no one can save themselves.  In order for us to understand some of this idea regarding salvation and the sin of humanity we need to understand a little about God.  God is love and does not want to punish us, but He is also holy and must punish sin.  How then does God solve this apparent problem?  He solves it in the sending of His Son, Jesus Christ to the earth.  In the Old Testament we are told  all things are cleansed by blood and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.  Because our sin is an eternal problem, God needed an eternal sacrifice which was perfect.  Jesus was the answer to this apparent problem.  Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and three days later, He rose from the dead to live forevermore.  All one has to do is confess with their mouth Jesus died for his/her sins and believe in their heart God raised Him from the dead and he/she will be saved.  This faith is not just head knowledge.  The demons believe God exists, but they shudder because they know their eternal destiny is in the Lake of Fire.  Belief without repentance is NOT saving faith, but an intellectual activity.  Faith changes who we are and how we interact in this world.  Faith is not just temporary either.  In other words, too often people run to God in their time of trouble, but as soon as the trouble passes, they return to life their way.  This kind of faith is not saving faith either.  Saving faith is trusting Jesus Christ alone for one’s salvation.  If you have never received Jesus offer of life, let me challenge you to call out to Him today for salvation.

Questions:
1. Are you trying to earn your own salvation?
2. Are you willing to receive Jesus Christ as Your Lord and Savior?


Prayer: Father, thank You for my salvation.  Grant me boldness to tell others about Jesus and His saving grace.  Amen.

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