[Faith-talk] FW: IBGN~NEWSLETTER~ "PAID IN FULL!"

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: Momsooky <momsooky at yahoo.com>
To: momsooky at yahoo.com
Subject: IBGN~NEWSLETTER~ "PAID IN FULL!"
Date: 
Mon, 5 May 2008 21:38:50 -0700 (PDT)

"PAID IN FULL!"
   
  DAILY-E-VOTIONAL 
  BLESSINGS FROM THE HEART
  Pastor Cecil A. Thompson
  
 
  "PAID IN FULL!"
  Isaiah 53:4-6
  ?Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we
considered Him stricken by  God, smitten by him, and afflicted.  But he was
pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the
punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are
healed.   We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to
his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.?
   
  In today?s Scripture, Isaiah is speaking of our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ.  As we read this 53rd chapter of Isaiah, we see the terrible
condition of each one of us.  Our sinful condition demands the payment of
death.  You will find no innocent people on planet earth. 
   
  An unknown author sets the stage in a courtroom outside of heaven.  The
scene is dramatic, but I feel it is theologically inaccurate, as is the
case with many such stories.   The story suggests that it is our actions or
deeds that determine our entry into God's heaven.  That is patently false
since it is has already been determined when we are born again.  
   
  There are two judgments mentioned in Scripture; the Judgment Seat of
Christ for believers, and the Great White Throne of judgment for
unbelievers.  I certainly want to be present at Judgment Seat of Christ,
not at the Great White Throne judgment.
   
  We are told in Revelation 12:10, that Satan is the accuser of the
brethren (also the sisters).  It speaks in the present tense--"He is the
accuser."  Right now, at this very moment, there is a constant barrage of
lies being told to God the Father about each of us.  There is too much
truth about our sins of commission and omission, so you wonder why Satan
would even need to resort to lies.  Sorry, perhaps I am only speaking about
myself. 
   
  I read, or heard one time about a native village in Africa, where
someone ran through the village and yelling as loud as possible; "They
know!"  "They know!"  "They know!"  Immediately, from all over the village,
people rushed out and hid in the scrub brush surrounding the village.  I
guess that each one had a guilt that they felt had been exposed.  
   
  In the book of Job, we have a picture of the way Satan accuses and
maligns those who love God.  Job was a very righteous man, but he was
accused by Satan of being righteous only because it was to his benefit.  In
other words, he was attacking the motives of the heart.  What if Satan
attacked the motives of your heart---would you be able to stand the
testing?
   
  But wait a minute!  There is more to it than this.  It is not our human
righteousness that gives us a right standing with God.  The Prophet Isaiah,
writing a few chapters later, 64:6 says that "- -all our righteous acts are
like filthy rags."  Please do not think I am being gross, but I want you to
know the exact meaning of his statement.  His use of the term "filthy
rags," refers to the cloths that a woman uses during her monthly period. 
AND THAT IS OUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS!  Think how bad our rotten acts are in the
sight of God!  How in the world can we ever be justified? 
   
  Let me switch back to the story about the attorney representing us at
the gates of Heaven.  It is important that we always remember that Satan is
our accuser.  It is after Satan has accused the defendant before God the
Father that our Defense Attorney rises:
   
  Our Lawyer asks if he might approach the bench. The judge allows this
over the strong objection of Satan, and beckons him to come forward.  As he
walks toward the bench, I am able to see Him in his full splendor and
majesty. I realized why he seemed so familiar. 
   
  This is Jesus, my Lord and my Savior, who is representing me. He stops
at the bench and softly says to the judge, "Hi Dad."  He turns to address
the court. "Satan was correct in saying that this man has sinned, I won't
deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sin is death, and this
man deserves to be punished." 
   
  Jesus takes a deep breath and turns to His Father with outstretched
arms and proclaims, ?I died on the cross so that this person might have
eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is mine." My Lord
continues; "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch
him from me. Satan still does not understand the law of grace. This man is
not to be given justice, but rather mercy."
  As Jesus sits down, He quietly pauses and looks at his Father and
replies, "There is nothing else that  needs to be done. I've done it all."
  The judge lifts His mighty hand and slams the gavel down.  The following
words bellow from his lips: "This man is free. The penalty for him has
already been paid in full. Case dismissed." As my Lord leads me away, I can
hear Satan ranting: "I won't give up, I'll win the next one." 
   
  I ask Jesus; "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiles and
says, "Everyone that comes to Me and asks Me to represent them, receives
the same verdict as you, PAID IN FULL!"
  
 
  Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today.  Trust Him completely and
be a blessing. 
   
   - - - Pastor Cecil 
   
  You can read some past Daily-E-Votionals on our website at:
www.daily-e-votional.com



  

"a merry heart doeth good like a medicine" Prov 17:22

 






       
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