Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of Salvation. For GOD hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. (1Th 5:6-11)
Our faith is based, not on blind wishes, but on the precious promises of His Word which cannot fail. Our love for one another and for others flows out of our love for our Lord who gave Himself for us. Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, firm and secure on the solid rock of the foundation of Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, who humbly and willingly came in the likeness of men and offered Himself for our sins and in our place. Our life is in Him, for we are buried with Him, and raised to walk in newness of life, for Christ now lives in us, and the life we live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of GOD who loved us and paid our sIn debt with His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary.
Because of His sacrifice we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him, not to earn what He has already paid for, or to keep what He has given those that repent and believe in Him, but in service to our Lord and King as we do that which He has called, commanded, and commissioned us to do. He calls us to serve Him as we minister to others around us who are hurting and in need as ambassadors of His Kingdom. He commands us to love one another as His disciples, and disciple one another in His Word until we all grow into the full measure of Him. In obedience to His commission, we take the Gospel of Jesus Christ with us to this lost and dying world, and as we go where He sends us, in the power of the Holy Spirit with the Word of GOD, we share His Good News to those who will hear, that those who repent and believe may receive Him by faith and have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet