Perhaps it may turn out a sang,
Perhaps turn out a sermon.

-- R. Burns Epistle to a Young Friend

Friday, April 10, 2009

It's Friday ...

So the heavens and the earth and everything in them were completed. By the seventh day, God completed His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done. -- Genesis 2:1-2



Therefore, while the promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear so that none of you should miss it. For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith (for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what He has said:

So I swore in My anger, they will not enter My rest.

And yet His works have been finished since the foundation of the world, for somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in this way:

And on the seventh day God rested from all His works.

Again, in that passage [He says], They will never enter My rest. Since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, again, He specifies a certain day— today —speaking through David after such a long time, as previously stated:

Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.

-- Hebrews 4:1-7



When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. – John 19:30



But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at His coming, the people of Christ. Then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He abolishes all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He puts all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be abolished is death. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-26



But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. He is now waiting until His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are sanctified. – Hebrews 10:12-14



... but Sunday's coming.

1 comment:

USS Ben USN (Ret) said...

For we also have received the good news just as they did; but the message they heard did not benefit them, since they were not united with those who heard it in faith (for we who have believed enter the rest), in keeping with what He has said:"

Aye. We must hear the Good news, believe the Good news in faith, and keep the Good news.

This reminds me of a friend i had in high school. A funny guy, pretty much everyone liked him. He wasn't a best friend, I never hung out with him after school, but rather a casual friend.

One day, at lunch in the cafeteria, there were five of us talking about religion and which one was best. My friend, his name was Paul, was looking for a church to go to.

After a lengthy discussion on the differences of all the churches wetalked about, Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Church of Christ, etc., he said:

"You know, I think I'll be Catholic. Then I can do whatever I want as long as I confess my sins to a Priest. Afterall, no one is perfect and we're gonna sin anyway."

Now Paul was known to be a joker and we all laughed at that, but he was also serious.

One of my other friends said:

"I think you're missing the point, Paul. Repentance isn't just about confessing your sins, you have to do all you can to stop sinning. It's not about finding a loophole."

Another friend mentioned that Paul would make a good lawyer.

To which there was more laughter and the discussion on religion ended.

I pray that Paul, no matter what church he decided to go to, chose to avoid any loopholes he might've thought existed.

Because accepting truth on our terms ain't gonna benefit us. We must accept the truth on His terms which is the only Way truth operates, because that is the only Way to enter the rest.

We can only do that today, not someday, because He died for us Now, personally, directly and intimately. To not accept His sacrifice is to not truly realize Life, and that more abundantly.

If we realize and gno this, we will choose to believe the Truth and enter into the rest (the slack), and keep the Sabbath holy.

The day Jesus rose from the dead, after conquering death, hell and the grave, was the ultimate, or absolute Sabbath. That's an eternal amount of slack right there in the mysterious and holy Sabbath.

Outstanding post, Mushroom!
I hope you and your family have a very blessed and miraculous Easter.