DON'T REJECT THE SPIRIT'S OFFER!

The main message of the Bible is this: that all of humanity is separated from God because of sin (Rom. 3:23); that the punishment for sin is death (Rom. 6:23a); and that Jesus paid for the sins of the world, for all who would believe in Him (Jn. 1:11-12; 3:14-18; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-8; etc.).  Yes, Jesus is the "propitiation" for the sins of the world (Rom. 3:25; 1 Jn. 2:2; 4:9-10);  in other words, when Jesus became sin for mankind, His death satisfied, or paid in full, the debt we owed God (Ezek. 18:14; Rom. 6:23b; 2 Cor. 5:21).  John 12:32-33 says:  "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.  This He said, signifying what death He should die."  God, The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, want mankind to accept the free gift of salvation which is offered to all who will trust in Jesus' atoning death (Rom. 5:11, 15-16; Eph. 2:9; Jn. 6:44; 12:32; 16:7-14; 2 Pet. 3:9; etc.)!

Unfortunately, even though Jesus paid the debt for sin in full, the vast majority of humanity refuses to acknowledge Jesus' sacrifice for their sins, and as a result, they, in so doing, choose to face God's judgment without Him!  In yesterday's post, I discussed the "unpardonable sin," and attempted to show that when one refuses to believe the Holy Spirit's evidence that Jesus is all that the Bible has to say about Him, they are calling the Holy Spirit a liar (Mt. 12:22-32).  In so doing, they reject Christ and His payment for their sin; instead, they choose to die in their sin:

"These words spoke Jesus in the treasury, as He taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on Him; for His hour was not yet come.  Then said Jesus again unto them, I go My way, and ye shall seek Me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.  Then said the Jews, Will He kill Himself? because He saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come.  And He said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jn. 8:20-24).

BUT, you do not have to die in your sins if you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  The Apostle Paul wrote: 

"And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins....But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)" (Eph. 2:1, 4-5).

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross" (Col. 2:13-14).

 

Either Jesus paid for your sins, or you will:  the choice is yours!!!