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“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” ( Hebrews 9:27-28 )

There are certain things in life we are assured of, just as we were born, we will also die. It was Ben Franklin who joked “in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes". I would suggest, however, that there are a few other things we can also be certain of. Just as mankind is appointed to die and to be brought before God in judgment, so also Jesus was destined to come and bear the burden of sins of the world once for all ( I Peter 3:18, I John 2:2 ). This is amazing news for us. Because this work was finished and complete, He is also appointed to return, not to bear sin again but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting and expecting Him.

This is Christ’s legacy. He dealt with the issue of sin once for all so all that is left to do is to come and gather His people to Himself. As believers we have been redeemed, we have been purchased and we have been given a new born again spirit but we are still waiting for the redemption of our physical bodies. When Jesus Christ returns He will be coming to bring final salvation. This is one of the things in life we can be assured of, Christ is coming back and when He comes, He will bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him!

This is an exciting thing; there is no fear in anticipating that day. Paul told the church at Thessalonica, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:9-11 ). The only question that will matter is; What did you do with Jesus? For those who believe in Him, we will not suffer wrath but we will receive our salvation.

The Apostle John also comforts us with these words, “In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us” ( I John 4:17-19 ). In other words, when we stand before God in judgment we will be wearing the righteousness of Jesus. John said “as He is so are we in the world,” meaning that there is no accusation of sin against us, because Jesus dealt with the issue of sin and we have accepted His payment for it. Through Jesus we have the righteousness we need, to stand before God free from accusation or condemnation. We also have His perfect love to reassure us in this truth.

Jesus told us that anyone who accepts His message of grace and forgiveness will have this salvation without condemnation. “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” ( John 5:24 ). The word for condemned is the same word for judgment. Christ came to first to bear sins so that He could come back again to bring salvation for all those who eagerly, constantly and patiently wait and expect Him! It is as certain as death and taxes and it is something to anticipate with great joy!

Every new believer has at one time or another struggled over this question of losing their salvation. They’ve messed up and assumed that what they’ve done proves they aren’t saved. Of course the devil is right there planting these ideas into their head. But as we have already seen, you cannot lose your salvation, which was a gift. Neither will God take it back from you.

Let’s go back to my camp days again... There was another counselor who had been learning about this in Bible college and started challenging me whether or not you could lose your salvation. To even phrase it like that, I don’t believe he understood this principal either, because it really should be a non-issue among Christians. It is in the scriptures to show us the incredible facets of God’s nature, meaning he gives us a choice because this is the highest form of relationship one can have. Everyone in this kingdom is here by choice, personal choice. It is not a matter of losing it rather returning or renouncing it.

This is why the Lord outlined the guidelines for being mature enough to renounce such a great salvation. He will not hold you accountable unless you are fully aware of the decision. For instance, if when a child, I ran away from home and decided I no longer wanted to be a part of my family, the police would find me and return me to my parents. Even if I told them I wanted to change my name and cut all ties. They wouldn’t allow such a decision from a child, even a teenager because there is no understanding of the long term effects of that decision. However, now that I am an adult, legally I could go down to the courthouse, change my name, renounce my birthright, cut off all association with my family and the courts would grant this decision in my favor. And the Law would back me up. My parents would have nothing to say about it because legally I am an adult and I am responsible and fully aware of the full weight of my decisions.  

The same is true of God, He does not allow this decision to be made by a person unless certain requirements have first been met. Because verse 6 exclaims that they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and publicly shaming him before the world (Hebrews 6:6). Since there was only one sacrifice for sin for all time (Hebrews 8:27; 9:12; 9:28; 10:10; 10:12; 10:14; 10:18), to reject this gift after experiencing it leaves a person in bad shape. There is no other salvation, which is why Peter said it would have been better for the person to never have known the way of righteousness than to know and turn back once again to the pollution of the world (II Peter 2:20-21). As in the previous example, one must be fully aware of the  weight of their decisions to be held accountable, so certain requirements must be met . 

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace" (Hebrews 6:4-6). 

First, the person has to be enlightened. The Greek word is phōtizō, which means to give light, to shine, to enlighten, light up, illumine, to bring to light, render evident. It also denotes causing something to exist and come to light becoming clear to all. To enlighten spiritually with saving knowledge. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit gives us a working knowledge of God. It’s a revelation, it changes our entire way of thinking because we are new creations.  

Secondly, the person has to have tasted the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. This is more than being born again by the regenerating work of Holy Spirit. This is operating in the kingdom. The word used for gift describes spiritual or supernatural gifts. The word for heavenly denotes things that take place in heaven not on earth. The word for tasted is defined as to partake of, enjoy, make trial of, or experience. In other words, the person actively participates in the kingdom by operating in the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12-14).

Next, the person must have tasted the goodness of the word of God. The Greek word used here is rhēma, the spoken word. The significance of rhēma as distinct from logos (written word) is not referring to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need. It is the ability to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17) and skillfully use it. This is our defense and offense here on earth. To use it, we must know and have spiritual insight into the scriptures. This comes through maturity and enlightenment by the Holy Spirit over time.

Lastly, the person must have experienced the powers of the coming age. The writer is talking about dynamis power, it is where we get the word for dynamite. It is defined by Strong’s Concordance as inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. The power for performing miracles. The age being referred to is one of indefinite duration, eternity. This makes sense since the person is fully operating in the kingdom, its gifts and power.

These four things are required before God holds one accountable to make this decision. Notice, if after experiencing all of these things, hardness of heart takes over to the point they decide to renounce God, the reason they cannot be restored once again is because it is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. If they’d repent, God would restore. But in this state of a reprobate mind the person basically becomes a God-hater.

This is why the writer of Hebrews begins this chapter instructing us to progress in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Because fellowshipping with the Lord protects the heart from the cares and worries of this world. Peter said, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (I Peter 2:2-3). We should experience the Lord and enjoy Him and progress in our revelation of Him. In this way, we guarantee what has been promised to us through faith in Christ, protecting our hearts from forgetting what has been purchased for us. “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:11-12).

If it is possible to fall away, as this passage in Hebrews suggests, or in effect become again as an unbeliever without the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, this verse seems to contradict others throughout scripture which talk about eternal redemption. So, it is important to first look at eternal redemption, what it is, what has been promised and who it is for; so we understand what the writer is saying in these verses concerning falling away.

Eternal redemption can be defined in this way; it is putting saving faith in the complete and perfect work of Jesus Christ, confessing Him as Lord, accepting the payment and forgiveness for your sins, trusting in Him to do what you cannot do. Once this happens you are saved, period. This is an eternal decision. You cannot lose what has been given to you as a gift.

Jesus made this quite clear. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” ( John 10:27-30 ).

Paul asked a similar question in Romans 8, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" ( Romans 8:35a ). His response, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" ( Romans 8:38-39 ).

Besides these verses which clearly teach that no outside force can separate us from God, we have several promises from Jesus that show His intention for eternal redemption. First he offers us eternal life ( John 3:16; John 3:36; John 10:10; John 17:3, I John 5:11-13 ). Secondly He told us He would never leave us or forsake us ( Deuteronomy 31:6,8; Joshua 1:5, John 14:18, Hebrews 13:5 ). Next, He gave us the Holy Spirit as a deposit to ensure these promises ( Romans 8:15-17; II Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13-14; II Timothy 1:14; Titus 3:4-6 ). Next, He gave us power and authority in this world and over the forces in the world ( Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:19; Romans 8:17; Ephesians 2:6; I John 5:4-5 ). Lastly, He wrote our names in the Lamb’s book of Life and keeps a record in heaven of all of those who have placed faith in Him ( Luke 10:20; Revelation 20:12;15 ). These few things only scratch the surface when it comes to the promises that God made to us because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. And if that isn’t enough, He promised Jesus on oath that He would never change his mind regarding these things ( Hebrews 6:17-18; Hebrews 7:21-22 ). So we can have confident hope in the things promised to us regarding eternal life and our redemption.

Another amazing truth is that this offer of salvation is for anyone regardless of what you have done or haven't done. Paul said, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” ( Romans 10:13 ). There was no qualifier to this statement, it is for everyone. All that is required is to ask, believe and receive. It doesn't get any simpler than this.

By considering all of these things, we can see how it is impossible to lose your salvation once you have placed saving faith in Jesus and what He did to bring you into fellowship with God the Father. You cannot lose it, you cannot misplace it and most importantly it cannot be taken away from you.

We've established that you cannot lose your salvation, but Hebrews teaches that it is impossible to be brought back again to repentance once you've fallen away. Join me tomorrow as we look at what falling away means… in Part 3, What Does it Mean to Fall Away? 

"It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace" ( Hebrews 6:4-6 )

Growing up Baptist, I held tightly to the doctrine 'once saved, always saved'. So you can imagine the ground shaking experience that occurred one summer at camp when my counselor co-worker challenged this idea. He was attending Bible college at the time learning all sorts of things. As he shared this knowledge, confusion about what I had always believed set in. I realize now what he was trying to say, but at that time, I wasn't able to reconcile this truth in full understanding. Even reading a verse such as this, can challenge our core belief system unless we understand several things. However, to comprehend the fullness of God's grace, having insight into a passage of scripture such as this is extremely important.

Every great truth in the Bible, appears to have a contradiction. This is why we get so many divisions among believers who cannot agree and argue these doctrines. However, there are always two sides to every truth and understanding both sides brings balance to each truth in the Bible. Each idea is usually not an either or but both. A good illustration I once heard a speaker use is that of a tightrope. If I was going to cross a gorge on a tightrope I would need anchor point securely fastened on each side of the gorge. I would want the tension and pull to be the exact same so I could walk the entire length of the rope without it losing structure. If they were not both pulling in the opposite direction with the same force. I would never securely make it across.

This is a great picture to understand why it is important to have equal and opposite truths that appear to contradict. Because it gives the pull needed to find balance between both ideas and both truths. Comprehending all facets will bring a deeper understanding of scripture and an intimate working knowledge of God and His infinite grace.

At first glance, this verse seems to be floating in this chapter out of nowhere. The writer is encouraging the reader to progress in their knowledge of truth. Then out of the blue He warns against falling away, noting it is impossible to be brought back again to repentance once this happens. This can be a little disconcerting because life carries us through ebbs and flows without the need to worry about losing one's salvation. So the question naturally becomes, once you are born again, can you lose your salvation?

Tomorrow we will look at this question and find the answer by looking at the promise of salvation. Please join me for part 2, The Basis of Eternal Redemption.

“and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek” ( Hebrews 5:9-10 )

On the cross Jesus said "it is finished" right before he gave up his spirit. With these words, He was signifying that everything He came to do was accomplished, everything written about Him had been fulfilled and the redemption of the entire world was completed. Since there was nothing left to do He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Father taking his rightful place as Lord ( Mark 16:19, Acts 2:33, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12 ).

This is an important truth to understand because Jesus is Lord whether you have personally confessed his Lordship. Not recognizing His position does not change it as fact. Peter stated this very thing at Pentecost, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ( Acts 2: 32-36 ).

With one marvelous act of obedience on the cross, Jesus was perfectly equipped through this experience to become our High Priest in service to God. With this completed exercise He became both the author and source of eternal salvation to everyone who puts their saving faith in Him.

Everything we know and experience as humans has a beginning and an end. We are bound by time, distance and energy. We set aside periods of rest and recharging by eating, sleeping and drinking. This maintains our body’s health and energy. In light of this, it is hard to wrap our brains around the fact that, Jesus is the source of eternal salvation. Which means that it originated with him, it flows out of him and He is the supply for its power. Jesus told this very truth to the woman at the well in John 4, "Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” ( John 4:13-14 ). Once you participate in this life that Jesus offers He is able to sustain you and keep you forever because Jesus is the wellspring to eternal life and its supply will never be shut off.

This truth rings more clear when we understand that Jesus has been guaranteed this position because God designated Him to be a high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7 gives much more detail about this. "And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 7:15-18). With Jesus' resurrection from the dead, he broke the power of death, meaning he can never die again ( Romans 6:9, Acts 2:24, Ephesians 1:20-23 ). Since He cannot die again, it also means that He will live forever. "Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" ( Hebrews 7:20-25 ). This is why it is so wonderful that God designated Jesus to be a priest after this order. "For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever" ( Hebrews 7:28 ).

As if this wasn't enough, God promised Jesus by an oath that He would never change his mind, as so Jesus became the author and source of the salvation we so dearly cherish and cling to. "And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: "You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant" ( Hebrews 7:21-22 ). Understanding Jesus' role as our high priest, knowing that he is the source of eternal salvation guaranteed by oath from God is an amazing truth that will encourage and bless you throughout your entire life.

The book of Roman is a masterfully written exposition on grace. This letter to the believers in Rome has changed the hearts of many as they read and understand the wonderful truths nestled inside. Paul wrote this letter to these Christians to explain his revelation of grace. This revelation was not made of man but Paul received it directly from the Lord Jesus himself. "I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ" ( Galatians 1:11-12 ). What Paul taught was beyond previous comprehension and understanding. Becoming a student of this letter will change your heart and bring you into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Because Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles he wrote to this church to settle a dispute between the Messianic Jews and the Gentiles. The church was a diverse group of people who had settled in Rome from other areas. There is no record of an a visit to this church by an apostle offering doctrinal teaching and guidance.  In fact many assume that these Christian had been in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given ( Acts 2 ). They spread and settled in Rome. The church was comprised of Gentiles who had converted from idol worship and devote Jews who believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Problems arose when the Jews urged the Gentiles to live as Jews and undergo the rite of circumcision. Because of Paul's mission to preach the gospel to the Gentiles he felt an obligation to write to this church and settle this dispute among them explaining in fullness the grace of God.

The book of Romans covers a multitude of topics including: grace, redemption, salvation by grace, being born again, the gospel, righteousness apart from the law, freedom from sin, eternal salvation, living by the Spirit and the love of God. Don't miss this incredible journey of faith.

Read a summary of each of the 16 chapters of Romans.

There is power in the Gospel. The gospel allows God to move on this earth. When a person accept the gospel as the only way to God, then a miracle occurs. Colossians 1: 13 says, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" Or the King James put it this way, " Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son"

At salvation perhaps the greatest miracle of all takes place. We have been taken out from under the control or power of darkness and immediately put into the kingdom of Heaven, with Christ, our Savior sitting at God's right hand and His Holy Spirit dwelling within as our deposit. Now that is power. No longer bound to the king of this world, but 100% seal, sanctified and set apart for His good pleasure.

Paul knew this power. Paul was not ashamed of this power. Paul experienced this same power that raise Christ from the dead everywhere he went. All he had to do was preach the gospel and the power of God was present to save every person who believe it. There was no distinction... God's Salvation extends first to the Jew and then to the Gentiles which includes everyone else.

Today, if you want to experience this power, the same power that Paul knew and was bold to share, then Romans 10:8-11 says, "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

It is as simple as that, Romans says, to confess with your mouth that Jesus is the only way, and believe in your heart that God raised him (Jesus) from the dead and you will be saved and never put to shame. It is my prayer that today if you have never made that confession of Faith in the Lord Jesus, that you will do and experience the power of God is a real and first hand way. May God bless you richly today!

Why was Paul so careful making sure he mentioned that the result of Abrahams faith extended to us? The Scriptures say that, "Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness." ( Genesis 15:6 ). Paul is noting that the same credit of righteousness is extended to everyone who firmly relies in Jesus as Lord.

Abraham's faith was a conduit of the righteousness that God bestowed upon him, but his faith rested in the promise. The promise extends to us because the promise referred to the Messiah. Abraham saw a glimpse of this and knew that the Salvation of the world would come through his heir. Fortunate for us, God extends this hope of salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus. Romans 2:11 says, that God is no respecter of persons (KVJ). This is a great thing because it doesn't rely on who we are or what we do, it only relies on the person and the grace of Jesus.

There is a caveat however. To have righteousness credited unto your account you have to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. To the natural man, this is utterly ridiculous and hard to understand. On the other hand, many people confess this, but their confession is merely words. The Amplified Bible explains what truly believing is... to believe you must firmly rely on, trust in and adhere to what you confess. We can take lesson from Abraham because he was fully persuaded in the promise and because of that any doubt that remain was overpowered by his faith. To have God's righteousness credited to us, we have to be fully persuaded that He raised Jesus from the dead, and we have to believe this by faith.

Today, I praise God that we have Abraham as a powerful example of faith. I praise God that the blessing he received extends to us. I am so thankful to have obtained this righteousness apart from the Law, which is by faith. The same faith working in all who believe in Jesus. What a marvelous thing!

What a marvelous truth to understand that our final deliverance from this world is fast approaching. Because of this, we are in a critical hour to recognize reality. We need to awaken from slumber and start advancing the kingdom of God because salvation is near and millions of people are lost.

Jesus spoke extensively about signs of the times and what to watch out for. He told his disciples, "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door" ( Mark 13:28-29 ). He was speaking of the end of the age telling them the signs that would accompany it. Then he reminded them of the fig tree. The fig tree showed the timeframe for summer had come when leaves appeared. Even so, the events that Jesus mentioned in the Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 lead to the end of this world. Because of this we know that the hour is at hand and our final salvation in nearer to us than when we first believed.

Jesus went on to say, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come" ( Mark 13:32-33 ). As believers we need to be ready to go when he comes. We should be standing our ground and advancing the kingdom of God. We should not be hanging back waiting for that day lest Jesus find us asleep or consumed with this world. We should be alert and ready. Jesus told his disciples in Luke's gospel account, "When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" ( Luke 21:28 ) . Our final salvation, the redemption of our physical bodies will take place unexpectedly; therefore we should always stand looking up in anticipation.

We should be on guard, awake and alert because we also have a job to do. Our job is to preach the gospel to the far reaches of the world. Jesus told the disciples that when this is accomplished He will return for us. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" ( Matthew 24:14 ). So the sooner we get moving on our mission, the sooner we will be present with the Lord forever.

Paul reminds us in today's passage that fulfillment of this mission stems our of our love debt to the Lord. He said in the previous verse, "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" ( Romans 13:10 ). Then he started this passage with "And do this, understanding the present time..." It is because of our love for God and His love for mankind that we share the good news with everyone around us. Not out of fear, not out of guilt, but out of love and gratitude for Him. We should be burdened to see the lost saved, knowing what an incredible gift our salvation is.

Today, I pray that you are challenged to awaken from normal everyday life being motivated for the kingdom of God. Remember your final salvation is at hand and Jesus is coming very soon. Look up expectantly today, knowing that He is coming back for you. Share this good news in your workplace, with your neighbors, with your family and with your friends. The sooner this mission is accomplished the sooner we are out of here!

We have a lot to praise God for. Did you know that if you were born outside of the Jewish nation, up until Jesus, you were outside of God's covenant? We were lost and hopeless without God in this world ( Ephesians 2:13-14 ). But because of God's great love, mercy and faithfulness Christ became a servant to the Jewish nation in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs. The promise was Jesus, the hope of Israel and author of salvation. Now we who were once far away and excluded from the promise have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Through faith we are included in a better and more perfect covenant.

Many scriptures are fulfilled when we celebrate and praise God for this mercy and grace not originally covenanted to us. Once we were outsiders, but God confirmed and ratified the words spoken throughout the scriptures when he sent Jesus to earth. Not only for the Jewish nation, but for the sins of the entire world so that anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame ( I John 2:2, Romans 10:11 ). The Old Testament prophesied that the Gentile nation would praise God and rejoice in His redemptive work. Paul brings those passages to the forefront so that we will know this was always part of the plan.

We can celebrate and praise God continually for what he has done. He has included us in the promise of Christ and has offered us the same privileges that the Jewish nation has always enjoyed. We are no longer foreigners to His promises, but through faith we have become heirs and considered as sons and daughters of God ( Romans 8:17 ). Ephesians tells us that Jesus "came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit ( Ephesians 2:17-18 ). What a marvelous truth to know and understand. We have been accepted by God as He extends love and mercy toward us based on His covenant with us.

Today, I am so thankful for inclusion in the promises of God. I am so grateful that God sent Jesus to offer me a more perfect covenant of grace based not on what I do, but on what Jesus did. I join with all those who went before me praising God for his loving-kindness toward me. May you also join with the saints of God praising Jesus for what he has done, amen!