Saved

What can I say? The cross has been on mind as of late. I have been dwelling on Christ’s sacrifice and our unworthiness of it. He died for us when we were yet sinners. When we were yet SINNERS! We were damaged goods, totally depraved, since the fall of Adam. We cannot keep the commandments. We all fall short (Romans 3:23). Imagine sacrificing yourself for refuse, garbage, toilet paper. God would have been just to let us give Him glory in our eternal torment and damnation. A just God cannot and must not let unrighteousness go unpunished. So, judgment He decreed….on Himself in our stead! He looked on His and said, “Here let me take your filth and you can have my righteousness.” So, on the cross he WILLINGLY went. He gave His life, no one stole it. As I read Matthew 27, the account of the crucifixion, I am forced to realize, with eyes spiritually pried open, that I, in my sin, would not have been among those who weeped for Christ, but I would be among the scoffers, mockers, and abusers. Every time I fall short, every time the pride of life, lust of the eyes, and lust of the flesh fill me and I succumb to their impulses, I spit at His sacrifice. It is me who Christ was speaking about when he said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” And here is the kicker of it all, He knew how I would hurt Him from the foundations of the Earth and the beginnings of time itself and He still went willing to the cross to save me. All of His children’s sins were paid in full when he said, “It is finished” and gave up the ghost. I bring nothing to the table when it comes to my salvation expect my wretchedness. With this mindset, I can no longer say that “I gave my life to Christ.” as though it was mine to give, for this pride now stings me. I can only say, “Jesus SAVED me.” I am only just now understanding what it means to be, “saved.” Only now do I begin to grasp the concept of, “Jesus loves me.” I do not think the full extent of His love will be revealed to me on this side of eternity. It is just too deep for me to get, still having the flesh a part of me. All I can say is, “Thank you, Lord”

Learning From God - Unchanging Love

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.



“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb. 13:11) Nothing that has been created by God can separate us from His love, which is in Christ Jesus, be they physical or spiritual.

Most folks have a tendency to use the word “love” when they more properly ought to use the words “like or lust.” This misuse of words creates a confusion of thought and understanding on their part and others. Correct word usage would certainly clarify many misunderstandings. Many would not jump in and out of marriages if they would simply use proper wording as “I lust after you,” instead of “I love you.” There is definitely a difference between the two. Love is a lasting unconquerable commitment, while lust is simply a temporary passion that passes away when it is filled up, or turns to lust after some other objective. With God there is no questionable uncertainties, nor is He the author of any such confusion. God chooses His words very carefully, for they are set and committed for eternity. When God says He loves, it is a binding vow that cannot be torn asunder, though the gates of Hell will surely try.

We find in the Holy Scriptures these instructions: “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (I Jn 4:11) If our Father’s love is not as changeable as the wind, regardless of conditions and circumstances, then neither is the love that He has bestowed upon us to share with others. We are not perfect, yet He still loves us unwaveringly. We miserably fail so many times, but God never fails to continue loving us. His words are abundantly clear, there is absolutely no set of events, any person, or any spirit that will ever be able to separate us from His eternal love. When God loves it is unchangeable. Beloved, if this is the way of the Father and is His directives to us, ought not we also to love with an everlasting love? True love is not a conditional attribute. Godly love is unprovoked, unconditional, unselfish, and unchanging. Brethren, let us learn from our heavenly Father how to love.