God Sees Us As His Son!

Hello again!

This is what God gave me today in his word:

“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the LORD. (Isaiah 54:1)

For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:5-8)

Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Friend! – Let’s review one specific part of the above verses:

For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”

45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ”"Eloi, Eloi,” ”lama” “sabachthani?”"–which means, ”My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:45-47)

Jesus sees us as none other than his very son! Who more a moment he forsook, but then took back to himself in Heaven after his work had been completed.

¹ What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? ² By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? ³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:1-4)

Because God sees us as his son, we now “live a new life”, one that reflects who God sees us as, and who we have living inside of us; Jesus! But finally what does it mean to be children of God other than having a new life in Christ… ?

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

You are loved!

Joshua Cleveland

 

Fear Not, For I Am With You

Hello again!

This is what God gave me today in his word:

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. (Isaiah 41:10-11)

I now feel safe on Earth… But what about after I die, then what?

Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:14)

Alright but that still doesn’t answer my question does it? What happens after I die? Sure I can feel good and safe here on Earth. But what about afterwards? So far all you’ve told me is that I’m a worm, and that you are my (redeemer)… Oh.

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, (Ephesians 1:7-8)

¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

OK, I get the picture… God is my physical and spiritual savior and what not. But frankly, so what? What exactly does all of that mean?

 ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and Godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2:11-12)

OK but I’m already a pretty perfect fella. I don’t need any help in pride, worldly passions, self-control, or even living uprightly. I don’t even need to be redeemed; my perfection will get me to Heaven no sweat!

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

You must have misunderstood; I’m not like that! I really am perfect.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Alright then, point taken… So, how about that grace you were talking about earlier?

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)

You are loved!

Joshua Cleveland