The Contract
"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the
eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works
to serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14)
You have worth and dignity, purpose and meaning - in Christ. Down deep, that feeling
("If I only was as good as other people") no longer applies. The other false
assumption ("I'm better than other people") doesn't apply, either. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new" (2nd Corinthians 5:17). You are made NEW
in Him - but on what grounds?
God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has made a contract (a covenant, a testament) with
each member of the human race, whenever and wherever we have lived. If you live now and
hear much about Christ, or for those who lived 1,000 years before Christ, His cross
provided the means of ACCEPTANCE for every member of the human race. Some understand more
and some almost nothing at all, but all who are saved, are RESCUED by the Blood of Jesus
Christ.
The elements of a legal contract are interesting. These include - an offer, acceptance,
and a reasonable (valuable) "consideration". God the Father, through Jesus
Christ the Son, is offering eternal life to you, and your response should be to accept
that offer. A "consideration" is something of great value, which you actually
RECEIVE in response to your acceptance of the offer.
We should really think about this: What could possibly be considered VALUABLE to God?
Our money means nothing to Him. The gold that is prized so highly among humans, will
simply be paving material for the streets in eternity (Revelation 21:21). Gemstones,
coveted here on earth, are to be mere building materials for the foundation and entryways
of the walls that protect our heavenly city (Revelation 21:19 & forward).
You might respond, "Well, I could offer Him - myself!" And, that's good,
because really, it's all you have. But (no offense intended), do you have sufficient WORTH
to satisfy God? In Revelation 5:4, John the Apostle WEPT because "NO ONE was found worthy to open and read (a certain) scroll, or (even) to look at it".
And that is our problem. God is holy, perfect in every way, without sin or even the hint
of it, and HE is the standard for you and for me. We may be good, but we’re not THAT
good; not at all. We cannot save ourselves.
His command to Israel of long ago, was just the same as it is for you and me, for He
has not changed: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your
God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Down inside, each one of us knows that we are
flawed, "bent" (as C. S. Lewis termed it), and not holy at all (except that in
our vain pride, we sometimes think we are).
We are valuable to Him (the Son of God DIED for you and for me), but as sinners, an
ACCEPTABLE price must be paid; one that will be the valuable "consideration"
mentioned earlier. Our value is just not great enough to pay the price. Only Someone without
sin could be sufficiently VALUABLE, in order that payment might be made to rescue you
and me.
We have that valuable Person in Jesus Christ. "For He made
Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
" (2nd Corinthians 5:21). Jesus Christ is the only sinless Person to ever walk
this earth. He lived in eternity as God, but then He also became a man, that our race
might have a Representative, a Champion, who would pay the price. The valuable
"Consideration" of God, is Jesus Christ.
There's more. You will recall that a legal contract (one that is enforceable in Court)
also requires an offer and an acceptance. God the Father offered His Son, Jesus Christ, to
you on the cross. His blood, His precious blood, was shed for you and for me. You are
enabled to "become the righteousness of God in Him"
but, let’s state this again, ONLY - in Him.
Blaise Pascal, a mathematician and physicist who lived a short, brilliant life during
the early 1600's, proposed the "great wager." He argued that either God is (He
exists) or He is not (does not exist). If you take the bet that God exists (you’re
betting your life on this), and you’re right, you win – everything. If
you’re wrong, then you’ve lost – nothing. But, on the other hand, you might
wager that God does not exist. If you win, you have won – nothing! But worse, if you
are wrong, you will have lost – everything. Pascal asked, "what have you to
lose?" If you have to bet your life (and we all do), wager on God!
I advise you to take the bet. REALLY take the bet. "Christians" and
non-Christians alike, need to come "alive" to Jesus Christ. Will you accept Him
- REALLY accept the Son of God, right now? So many fill the pews of churches and yet live
for themselves instead of for Him. "How much more shall the
blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God" (Hebrews
9:14). He will bring you up out of "dead works" (religion without the LIFE of
God in Christ) and make you ALIVE in Him.
Rev. Billy Graham has referred to those who come forward at his crusades, as
"seekers". Some accept the Lord, while others come forward out of curiosity, or
because that’s what a lot of other people are doing. It’s time to really give
your LIFE to Him. (After all, He gave HIS LIFE for you). Take the bet of Blaise Pascal.
Take the Contract offered by God. Take the gift of the precious blood of Jesus. Breathe
"yes" to Him and LIVE in Jesus Christ – forever.
Father, we take the Contract offered in Christ. We take the "bet" of Blaise
Pascal. Jesus, we love You, and we receive You now. I am Yours, Lord, and I am so grateful
that You are mine. Thank You, Father, for the consideration You have given; the precious
blood of Jesus Christ. I worship You and praise Your Holy Name – now and forever. In
Jesus Name. Amen.
Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries, Inc.
The First Church on the Net
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org |
