Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, WHO HATH RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF BY JESUS CHRIST, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive NOT the GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN.  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”  (2^nd Cor 5:14-6:2) 

Paul tells us here in the scripture references quoted above, “receive not the grace of God in vain.”  To receive God’s grace in a manner that would be considered “vain”, would be to accept the gift but place no true value upon it.  To treat the gift as if it were of no importance at all, having no significance, no effect, no purpose.  Now, we know the grace of God is the gift of Salvation THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord as it is written: “For by GRACE are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: It is the GIFT OF GOD: NOT of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) thus, we are “Redeemed and Reconciled Through Christ” to The Father because of his grace, and through our faith in the sacrificial Lamb of God, The Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.   

Yet, there are some who have indeed taken the “Gift of Salvation”, and who’ve received the Grace of God in vain and it has been declared through the manner in which they’ve CHOSEN to live.  For with their own mouths they’ve confessed the Lord Jesus, yet in the manner which they live, they live as unto the world.  Such have attempted to receive this grace without any repentance in heart for the sins committed against the Lord, without any godly sorrow, without any true surrender, having no desire to turn from wickedness, to turn from the evil and darkness of this world and turn towards the LIGHT!  For such, they have never KNOWN the Lord Jesus, nor have truly RECEIVED the Gift of Salvation for in doing so, one MUST come to the Lord in TOTAL REPENTANCE of sin that he/she can be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb for it is the BLOOD that brings redemption.  Indeed it is written: “Therefore if ANY man BE IN CHRIST, he is a NEW creature: OLD things are PASSED AWAY, behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW.”  Are the scriptures inaccurate?  Has the Holy Spirit given a false interpretation?  ABSOLUTELY NOT, thus how can one be a NEW creature and REMAIN LIVING his/her OLD life?  In order to be NEW, one must be rid of the OLD, yet many PROFESS the new and continue to LIVE the old.  Therefore the scriptures have been made CLEAR that it’s not just a matter of professing Christ Jesus that makes one a “NEW CREATURE”, but the man who is made NEW, is he who “BE IN CHRIST”.  He through total surrender is being transformed in the likeness of Christ, through the manner of living his life FOR Christ and NOT for himself.  For the scriptures also declare: “And that HE died for ALL, that THEY which LIVE should not henceforth live unto themselves, but UNTO HIM which died for them, and rose again.”  Therefore, he who lives for Christ has been made a new creature in Christ Jesus and the former things have passed away, and all that are now before him has become new.  Now, the former things, the OLD way of life has no longer interest to him as he NOW lives his life as unto Christ, seeking the will of the Lord, seeking to please the Lord in the manner of which he lives.  Having now cast aside the FLESH, he no longer lives to fulfill it’s desires for to do so leads to spiritual death.  He is no longer “Conformed” to this world, but now is “Transformed” by the renewing of his mind!  The old thoughts have dispersed for now his thoughts are of Christ, NOW he has the MIND of Christ who has made ALL things NEW in those who “be in Him”.  “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live: yet NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the SON OF GOD, who LOVED ME, and gave HIMSELF FOR ME…” (Gal 2:20) 

Therefore, our beloved Savior has Redeemed us by the shedding of His blood, and in doing so has now Reconciled us unto the Father who we, having been separated because of our sins could not reconcile ourselves.  THIS is the Grace of God.  But, in order for one to receive this grace, one  must first acknowledge that he/she IS indeed a sinner, for according to scripture ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, and recognize that we NEED a Savior for there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.  No amount of good works will earn us the key to unlock the door and walk freely into the kingdom of Heaven.  The door is CHRIST, FAITH unlocks it, and TRUE REPENTANCE and SURRENDER allows us to enter in.  We cannot simply pray a prayer and expect to truly receive salvation with hearts that have remained unchanged, but transformation begins when we TRULY REPENT and SURRENDER ourselves to The Lord and begin to live for Him as we have been “Redeemed and Reconciled THROUGH Christ” and none other.  HE is the way, the truth and the Life.  No one can come to the Father except by Him.  THIS is the Grace of God and should not be taken lightly, nor in vain.   Let us come humbly before the Lord in Godly Sorrow and Repentance to receive this Grace which gives us life.  Think not that we can confess the Lord Jesus, continue to live a life of sin, and yet expect to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; be he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Saith the Lord. (Matt 7:21)   

The Lord be with you this day and always….

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo 

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God