Be Justified Freely

 Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Today's Chapters: Luke 19-20
Message Title: Be Justified Freely

Hello My Friend, 

The word sin is defined as a transgression, an illegal, abusive, or immoral action, most people understand sin to be something like adultery or committing a crime, but sin is more than that, it is any thought, word spoken, or action that is wicked, immoral or corrupting. For instance, while it is not a sin to be angry, it is a sin to act upon that anger in a vengeful way. While it is not a sin to look at a person, it is a sin to think of them in a lustful way. While it is not a sin to feel good about doing great work, it is a sin to be so proud that we get a big head about it. No one is without sin, but we can be free from the burdens of our sin, that freedom only comes from Jesus Christ. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:23,24.

Jesus heads to Jerusalem, on the way He passes through Jericho where He meets with a wealthy man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus, and his family gladly accepted Jesus, this did not go well with the Pharisees who, hated Zacchaeus because they thought he was a cheat. Hearing them grumble about expecting the Kingdom of God to just appear, Jesus speaks a parable about a nobleman that was receiving a kingdom. He was despised by the people, and went on a journey, he entrusted some with his money to see what they would do with it. 

“And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.” - Luke 19:15-17,20-22,24,26.

The nobleman represents Jesus, the money represents the Gospel, those who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and receive Him as their Saviour become part of His Kingdom. The more they do for Him after they are saved to spread the Gospel to others, the more they will receive in His Kingdom. Those who hear the Gospel, and never accept it themselves forfeit their opportunity to see the Kingdom, and it will be taken away from them.“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” - Matthew 25:31-34,41,46.

Jesus arrives in Jerusalem and begins preaching in the temple, once again being questioned for His actions. “And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” - Luke 20:1-8.

If you know Jesus and He is a big part of your life than you are always going to have someone trying to debate you, that is why it is important that we guard ourselves under the Word of God. The Sadducee's did not believe in resurrection, determined to debate Jesus, they ask Him a question about the resurrection. “Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.” - Luke 20:27-29,33-38.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are all living souls living in heaven with Jesus, and with every family member, friend, acquaintance, and even foe that personally accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We are going to get a big surprise the day God comes to take us home, we are going to see some people we thought would never be there, and sadly, not see some that we thought would. It does not matter who we are, where we came from, or how much we have sinned, the same punishment for sin is given to all, but all who accept Christ as their Saviour are alive, and not only that, they are the children of the only living God. “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” - Romans 9:26. Praise God! 

Today's Prayer: God, I boldly declare that You are the living God whom I serve. Only a God like You can turn evil into good, exchange sorrow for joy, or offer life beyond the grave. May I boldly proclaim You to be the Lord and Saviour of my life and tell of all Your wondrous works. I join in with the rest of Your children in asking that whenever I open my mouth, Your words may be given to me so that I will make known the mystery of the Gospel to those who have not yet heard or understood its meaning for their lives. In Jesus' name. Amen. 
od Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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