Tag: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Light in the Last Days – Day 15

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

Today, we are going to examine the post-Tribulation view—the belief held by some that the Rapture occurs only after the Tribulation has ended. When studying the Rapture and the Second Coming, the Bible must be our primary and final authority; we should rely on Scripture far above any human interpretation. With that in mind, let’s look at what the Word says regarding the Second Coming of Christ:

Revelation 19:14-21  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  (17)  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;  (18)  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  (19)  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  (20)  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  (21)  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Revelation 19 is the only place in Scripture where these three descriptors—’fine linen, white, and clean’—appear together. To understand the meaning behind this, we should let the Bible provide its own definition:

Revelation 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Notice how the fine linen worn by the Saints is described as clean and white—symbolizing the righteousness granted to them. This isn’t a righteousness we earned ourselves, but one we received as a gift from Jesus Christ! In Him, we find our complete sanctification and the joy of our redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Because the Church is clothed in Christ’s own righteousness rather than its own, we are the ones who will accompany Him during the Second Coming. We see this confirmed in Revelation 19:14, which describes the saints returning from heaven alongside their King.

According to Revelation 19:21, the ungodly are slain when Christ returns. If the Rapture happened at that same moment, all believers would be transformed into glorified bodies, leaving no one in a natural state to fulfill the prophecies of a populated Millennial earth. Because there would be no mortal humans left to dwell on the earth, the post-tribulation viewpoint proves to be inconsistent with the requirements of Scripture.

The pre-Tribulation timeline perfectly explains who will inhabit the earth during Christ’s thousand-year reign. While the Church is already in glorified bodies, a new generation of believers will emerge during the Tribulation—led to salvation by the Holy Spirit through the 144,000 and the two witnesses. Those who survive until Christ’s return will populate the earth in its restored state. This also includes the remnant of Israel, who will look upon their Messiah and be saved at the moment of His return.

Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

The conclusion of the age brings two very different outcomes: entry into the thousand-year reign for the faithful, and eternal separation in Hell for those who aligned themselves with the beast by taking his mark.

Revelation 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Most High – Possessor of the Earth

On By KateIn Devotionals, The Most HighLeave a comment

Genesis 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Genesis 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

What beautiful words!! Not only did God create the heavens and the earth, but He possesses them entirely and holds complete sovereignty over all creation. In this we find salvation’s story, which is elaborately woven into the creation of the world. It involves an intimate relationship between God and man and reveals God’s character! We see this as it is revealed in the Hebrew word “possessor”: it is defined as:

qânâh
kaw-naw’
A primitive root; to erect, that is, create; by extension to procure, especially by purchase (causatively sell); by implication to own: – attain, buy (-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess (-or), purchase, recover, redeem, X surely, X verily.

The definition of “possessor,” made my spirit leap for joy! Do you see it? Do you see salvation’s story in it? It’s a profound reminder of our journey and the divine plan of God to be part of our existence. But most importantly, do you see the Trinity in that word? Jesus, the Creator and possessor of the world, is God made flesh by the Holy Spirit, embodying both humanity and divinity, revealing the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This connection illustrates not only the greatness of our Creator but also the intimate ways in which He engages with His creation. He is guiding us toward redemption and hope!! Through this understanding, we come to appreciate the depth of His love and the transforming power it holds in our lives.

John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (2)  The same was in the beginning with God.  (3)  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, created a perfect earth along with two perfect people: Adam and Eve. They lived in a perfect garden with everything they would ever need. But Adam and Eve brought about their exile from the Garden because they made the choice to sin. It wasn’t God’s fault that there’s evil in this world, as many in the world claim. God never intended death to be a part of His creation. The destruction of the earth and mankind began the moment man’s choice to sin came into the picture. What was Adam and Eve’s first attempt to make things right? They tried to cover themselves with garments (fig leaves) made with hands. It has been this way ever since. All religions involve the same process: if I work hard enough, I might do enough good to earn my way to Heaven. However, man cannot work hard enough nor redeem himself. As the Old Testament reveals through Abraham, it takes a spotless sacrifice. No one that has ever lived on this earth from the beginning of time can say they are without at least one sin.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psalm 14:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psalm 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Only Jesus, the Possessor of the earth and Captain of our salvation, can claim this profound truth. Do you see it? It is only through Jesus Christ that we can find freedom and forgiveness for our sins, a gift offered to all who believe in Him. His sacrifice on the cross serves as the ultimate demonstration of love and grace, providing the way for our redemption. In acknowledging His lordship, we not only receive mercy but also transformation, as our hearts are renewed and our lives are changed. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17) This is the promise He extends to each of us, encouraging us to turn away from our burdens and embrace a new life filled with hope and purpose. His light guides us through darkness, reminding us that no sin is too great to be forgiven; it is through Him that we discover true peace and the joy of salvation.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

If you happened on this post today and do not know with 100% certainty that if you were to die today that you would go to heaven, then please follow this link and the Bible verses will guide you on this important journey. God wants us to know for certain that we are forgiven, and He desires a personal relationship with each of us. It is essential to understand that salvation is not just about escaping judgment, but about receiving a life filled with purpose, joy, and the promise of eternal life. Please come to Jesus Christ today, the source of unconditional love and grace. He is your only hope, a refuge in times of trouble, and the one who understands your struggles. He won’t disappoint you, as His promises are steadfast and true, offering you peace that surpasses all understanding. Don’t wait any longer; take this step of faith and allow God’s love to transform your life. You can know for certain:

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Does Anyone Care?

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for TodayLeave a comment

People who are not born again could care less about their sins because they live in darkness, unaware of the consequences that will come. There is something about the “light” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that points directly to our sin, revealing the truth that we often try to hide. In my search for truth, I never found anything that brought peace until I found Jesus, who not only opened my eyes to my sins but also offered forgiveness and love that changed my entire life. Through this experience, I learned that acknowledging our sins is the first step towards genuine healing and redemption, leading us from a place of despair into the hope that comes from salvation.

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Why would God die for me? Why would He die for you? The Scripture is quite clear. God created man for fellowship with Him. Jesus walked in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, but once they fell into sin, that fellowship was broken. God loved His creation so much that He provided a way to restore that fellowship:

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8  But God commendeth [showed] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Peter 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

1 Peter 2:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

God wants that fellowship so badly that He didn’t wait for us to clean up our lives, but instead He died while we were yet sinners!

There is something “freeing” when I finally admitted that I could not possibly rid myself of sin altogether. I could no longer make excuses for them. I was confronted by the truth of the light of God’s Word in the Bible. It is at that point that I met Jesus. I met Him at the foot of His cross where I laid down my burden.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

This beautiful hymn by Horatio Bonar speaks what is on my heart!

I Lay My Sins on Jesus – By Horatio Bonar

1 I lay my sins on Jesus,
the spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us
from the accursed load;
I bring my guilt to Jesus,
to wash my crimson stains
white in His blood most precious,
till not a spot remains.

2 I lay my wants on Jesus;
all fullness dwells in Him;
He heals all my diseases,
He doth my soul redeem;
I lay my griefs on Jesus,
my burdens and my cares;
He from them all releases,
He all my sorrow shares.

3 I rest my soul on Jesus,
this weary soul of mine;
His right hand me embraces,
I on His breast recline.
I love the Name of Jesus,
Immanuel, Christ, the Lord;
like fragrance on the breezes
His Name abroad is poured.

4 I long to be like Jesus,
meek, loving, lowly, mild;
I long to be like Jesus,
the Father’s holy Child;
I long to be with Jesus
amid the heav’nly throng,
to sing with saints His praises,
to learn the angels’ song.

Where are you today, Reader? What is the condition of your heart at this moment? Where will your eternal soul go? Won’t you lay your burdens down and let Jesus deal with your sins? He paid for them with His own blood. Let Him speak to you and let His light shine upon your sins so you can confess them and accept His beautiful gift of salvation. Here’s how!

Who is the Army?

On By KateIn Any Day Now, Devotionals, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment

Rev 19:7-8  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ( 8 ) And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

When Jesus returns in Revelation 19, an army follows Him. He is riding on a white horse, and His army is clothed in fine linen that is white and clean. But who exactly is this army?

In Revelation 19:8, the Scriptures say that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. If the saints of God are returning with Christ to wage war on the Antichrist, then it is not possible to have a post-Tribulation Rapture view because the Tribulation has not yet ended.

Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

The Church is the one that is clothed in fine linen, white and clean as we saw in Revelation 19:8 above. This is the righteousness of the saints, which cannot be earned because the Church has received Jesus Christ’s righteousness. Here are several verses that confirm this:

1 Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We see here the righteous are those who placed their faith in Jesus Christ! The saints are going to be the ones coming with Christ to wage war. One cannot base a viewpoint on Scripture’s teachings on just a few verses. This is why I repeat myself, and quote Scriptures throughout. One must take ALL of Scripture into account. One must determine who the judgments are meant for. It is clear that the church is not under judgment.

Rom 8:1-4  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  (2)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.  (3)  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  (4)  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

IF there is no condemnation for the Church, then why would the Church go through seven years of tribulation and condemnation?! The Church, through the Rapture, will be kept from this judgment that God will impose upon all the unbelieving world. Since Christ went to Heaven, there has not been any judgment that has come upon the entire earth. Horrible events have occurred in various places, but not upon the entire world. Jesus promised to keep His church from that time:

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

1 Th 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Eph 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Col 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

The wrath of God does not come on those that are born again! The wrath of God comes specifically for those “children of disobedience,” which are those who are not born again. Praise the Lord! \o/ Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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Pre-Trib vs. Post-Trib Rapture?

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment

Some churches teach that Jesus will come back for the Rapture of the Church after the Tribulation, known as the post-Tribulation Rapture. The Bible should be our only source of information on any topic dealing with the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To listen to a man’s findings should be the last thing we turn to. The verses listed below are about the Second Coming of Christ.

Rev. 19:14-17  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  (17) 

The only time the words “fine linen, white, and clean” appear together are found here in Revelation 19. Let the Bible interpret itself:

Revelation 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Notice that the Saints are clothed in fine linen, clean and white for their fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Church does not possess its own righteousness but has received the righteousness of Christ! We are also sanctified through Him and are redeemed!

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Therefore, those who have received the righteousness of Christ (the Church) will come back with Him at the Second Coming, as we see in Revelation 19:14!

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus kills all the ungodly, as we see in Revelation 19:21. If the Church would receive their new bodies at the Second Coming, who would populate the earth during the millennium? There would be no living human beings left to do so. Therefore, it stands to reason that this viewpoint does not jive with Scripture.

The only belief that fits this viewpoint of the timing of the Rapture is when it occurs before the Tribulation. Then, during the Tribulation, souls will come to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit through the two witnesses and the 144,000. Those who do not die for their faith, and remain until Christ’s return to earth, will be left to populate the earth. The Scriptures also say that all living Jews at the Second Coming will be saved as they see their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Those who make it through the tribulation go into the Millennium period; but those who took the mark of the beast are cast into hell.

Revelation 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Any Day Now – Day 15

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment
Photography by Chris Michaud

Good morning! Today, let’s tackle the belief in some churches that share that Jesus will come back for the Rapture of the Church after the Tribulation, known as the post-Tribulation Rapture. The Bible should be our only source of information on any topic dealing with the Rapture and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. To listen to a man’s findings should be the last thing we turn to. The verses listed below are about the Second Coming of Christ.

Revelation 19:14-21  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  (17)  And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;  (18)  That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.  (19)  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  (20)  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.  (21)  And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The only time the words “fine linen, white, and clean” appear together are found here in Revelation 19. Let the Bible interpret itself:

Revelation 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelation 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Notice that the Saints are clothed in fine linen, clean and white for their fine linen is the righteousness of the saints. The Church does not possess its own righteousness but has received the righteousness of Christ! We are also sanctified through Him and are redeemed!

1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Therefore, those who have received the righteousness of Christ (the Church) will come back with Him at the Second Coming, as we see in Revelation 19:14!

At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus kills all the ungodly, as we see in Revelation 19:21. If the Church would receive their new bodies at the Second Coming, who would populate the earth during the millennium? There would be no human beings left to do so. Therefore, it stands to reason that this viewpoint does not jive with Scripture.

The only belief that fits this viewpoint of the timing of the Rapture is when it occurs before the Tribulation. Then, during the Tribulation, souls will come to salvation through the work of the Holy Spirit through the two witnesses and the 144,000. Those who do not die for their faith and remain until Christ’s return to earth will be those who are saved and they will be left to populate the earth. It is also said that all living Jews at the Second Coming will be saved as they see their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 12:10  And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Those who make it through the tribulation go into the millennium while those who took the mark of the beast are cast into hell.

Revelation 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Does this settle this viewpoint in your heart, reader? It surely does me! To the one who is not saved, it is a different story. There is no peace to be found for the one who enters the Tribulation. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Hymns 2.0 – Just As I Am

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns 2.0, Thoughts and MeditationsLeave a comment
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Lyrics (click here to hear instrumental)

1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

2 Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

3 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

4 Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Charlotte Elliott

The History Behind the Hymn

Elliott, Charlotte, daughter of Charles Elliott, of Clapham and Brighton, and granddaughter of the Rev. H. Venn, of Huddersfield, was born March 18, 1789. The first 32 years of her life were spent mostly at Clapham. In 1823 she removed to Brighton, and died there Sept. 22, 1871.

In 1828, at the age of 32, Charlotte Elliott suffered a serious illness that left her a semi-invalid. This caused depression, and within the year she experienced a severe spiritual crisis. Swiss evangelist Henry A. Cesàr Malan was visiting her family, and she confessed to him that she didn’t know how to come to Christ. His famous response was, “Come to him just as you are.” Her depression continued, however. One night, twelve years later, she lay awake, distressed by her uselessness as an invalid, and by doubts of her spiritual life. The next day, as she reflected on the previous night, she decided she needed to meet her spiritual troubles head on and conquer them by the grace of God. So she “gathered up in her soul the grand certainties, not of her emotions, but of her salvation: her Lord, His power, His promise” (Lutheran Hymnal Handbook). She took up pen and paper, and wrote down her own “formulae of faith,” remembering those words of the visiting evangelist. In the end she had the text “Just as I am, without one plea.” Her rule of faith has since become a comfort to millions, and we join with all Christians who experience doubt and uncertainty in their faith when we declare that Christ invites us to come to Him, just as we are.

Though weak and feeble in body, she possessed a strong imagination, and a well-cultured and intellectual mind. Her love of poetry and music was great, and is reflected in her verse. Her hymns number about 150, a large percentage of which are in common use. 

https://hymnary.org/text/just_as_i_am_without_one_plea#Author

A Lesson for Me

Mat 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

I was probably a couple of days old in the Lord when I read these three verses. Oh how I cried! I was very heavy laden and had a burden of care upon my shoulders. I had been married six years at this point and my husband absolutely despised what I had become. Life was unbearable and I could not imagine God healing my marriage. He not only healed my marriage but He also showed me how I could receive peace in the midst of the trial while waiting! These verses rested heavily on my heart during that time.

What does this have to do with today’s hymn? Everything! God wants us to come to Him with all our troubles!

3 Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Message for today

Yes, this hymn’s message is mainly to show that God takes the sinner just as he is. The sinner need not clean up his life before receiving the gift of salvation. If he had to do that, what’s the point of God’s Son being called a gift? One doesn’t have to do a thing to receive a gift. It is freely given and must be freely accepted. There is nothing that can be added.

1 Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Luke 5:32  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

It is not by our own works that we receive this wonderful gift. It is by simple faith. We are all sinners in need of saving. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. The very nature of God is to show mercy upon a repentant sinner. When we humbly come before Him, admitting our sinfulness, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

My friend, there is nothing we can do to wash away our sins. Only Jesus can do that. He became our sin offering so we could be made righteous before God through Him! Oh praise the Lord for His unending love for us!

2 Cor 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

If you are not truly born-again, there is coming a time when it will be too late for you to repent and be saved. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus – Day 33

On By KateIn Devotionals, Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled By JesusLeave a comment

Prophecy of Messiah:

Psa 22:1-2  To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?  (2)  O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.

It’s a new day, reader! But with today’s prophecy, sadness and grief weighs heavily on my heart when I meditate on the suffering the Lord had to go through in order for me to be saved! 😥 If you’ve never read a doctor’s account of Christ’s crucifixion, you should take a moment and read about it. It’s not for the faint hearted! My hope is that you will look upon what Christ had to go through so that you and I could be saved!

Why did Israel not see their Messiah when Jesus came? Israel was looking for a conquering King as their Messiah, not One who was going to die on a cross. As Jesus was hanging on that cross, they mocked Him being there. As we see below, Jesus cried out with a loud voice “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” That is interpreted to be: Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. God in His holiness could not be “joined” with Jesus while Jesus was bearing our sin upon Himself to pay the penalty we deserved!

Prophecy of Messiah Fulfilled:

Mark 15:34  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Matthew 27:45  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

2Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

When you realize what the Lord went through so that we might be saved, it should break your heart! He did not die a quick death. He hung on that cross from the sixth hour (noon) to the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) – three solid hours of hanging and suffering! To top it off, it was by His own choice so that we might live eternally with Him! Thank You, Lord Jesus!

Do you know Him personally or do you only know of Him? I want to be sure that anyone who reads the posts on this blog can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are going to Heaven. Have you received Christ as your Saviour? If no, your sins are not covered by His sacrificial offering of Himself. You have not been redeemed by His blood. It is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!