SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it’s another day in the life. Some of us may sing and dance with joy and enthusiasm this day, while others weep and mourn with tears and sorrow. But my brethren, whatever state we find ourselves in today, let’s not get too proud and arrogant over our victories, or too low and sad over our defeats, for both situations greatly tempt our faith. Let’s try to maintain a sensible balance of humility, patience, hope and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, whom God, unasked, out of His great LOVE for us, sacrificed Him for our sins. Oh my people, it’s the greatest act of LOVE ever conceived and ever manifested, and therefore deserves our undying gratitude! That means we should always be on the lookout for the ever- present danger of unbelief, which can crop up in many shapes and forms, in many different unsuspecting circumstances and catch us off guard. Consequently, the author of Hebrews found it necessary to warn his readers, that includes us: ‘Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.’ Yes Friends, it’s very important that we pay serious attention to our spiritual lives, lest we should forfeit that promise of Jesus to enter into a rest of eternal life with Him. And the writer of Hebrews continues: ‘For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said.’ (Heb.4:2-3) Friends, please, let’s ensure we don’t fall into that trap, where we hear the gospel of Christ, but it doesn’t benefit us because we lack the necessary faith to believe it and put it into practice. For those who truly believe enter into His rest. But those who don’t…well crapaud smoke them pipe! And to effectively make that point, in Hebrews 3, the writer uses the analogy of Israel’s disbelief and disobedience under Moses, and thus were left destitute and wandering in the wilderness, and he quotes Psalm 95:7-11 to prove his reasoning. ‘Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (rebellion), in the day of temptation (trial) in the wilderness. When your fathers tempted (tested) me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved (angry) with that generation, and said, They do always err (go astray) in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest. Take heed brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.’ (Heb.3:7-13) Oh my brethren, it’s essential that we don’t fall in to the same trap that the Israelites did. And it’s so much easier to do today with all the enticing worldly, ungodly things that are forever swirling around us. That’s why we also need to encourage each other daily and to pay careful attention to what we watch, read, listen to and participate in, because Lucifer is a sly, sneaky devil, who likes to instil his evil spirit in our souls bit by bit, so that we’re not consciously aware of it. Until one day, we suddenly and sadly discover that we’ve seriously drifted away from the things of God, and are worshipping at the altar of Beelzebub, which will mean losing out on entering into the rest of Jesus, and instead, spending eternity with Lucifer in Hades. And believe me Friends, there’s no fate worse than that! For though Lucifer’s stuff looks great here on earth, in the after life it will be rotten and rusty garbage. Therefore, to help us refrain from making such a colossal mistake, let’s look at a few passages of scripture that hopefully will galvanize us to stay true to the Most High God Jehovah and our eternal faith in His sacrificial Son Jesus. Hear Bruh Paul to the Corinthians: ‘Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray (implore) you in Christ’s stead (behalf), be ye reconciled to God. 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.’ (2 Cor.5:20-21) Yes my people, having received the Spirit of Christ, we ought to act as His ambassadors, as His representatives here on earth. That means doing things He approves of. And Bruh Paul continues: ‘We then as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.’ (2 Cor.6:1) In other words, being spiritually born again is not sufficient for a true believer. We also need to put Jesus’ spiritual values to good practical use in the world. Then in Galatians 5, when talking about living by faith, Bruh Paul faithfully declares: ‘Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do (obligated to keep) the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you (You have become estranged from Christ), whosoever of you are (attempt to be) justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit (eagerly) wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by LOVE.” (Gal.5:1-6) Pay attention Friends; the law, legalism, can do nothing for us when it comes to salvation and eternal life, they only keep us in bondage to man made things. Faith (spiritual belief) in and through Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation and everlasting life. And finally, the author of Hebrews admonishes us, re disobedience: ‘Follow (pursue) peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any man fail (fall short) of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’ (Heb.12:14-15) Yes my people, please pay particular attention to that ‘root of bitterness,’ for bitterness starts out by being hidden and spreading its disgusting roots in secret, so by the time we discover it, it’s already spread like a cancer through our bodies, hearts, souls and minds, creating very disastrous consequences. Oh Friends, I certainly hope these passages of scripture will sink into our consciousness and keep us from losing out on the greatest gifts ever bestowed on mankind; salvation and eternal life through belief and faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Much LOVE!…JESUS…truly the way, the truth and the life…no man can come to the Father…except through Him…