God's Mercy 12.13.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Hebrews, please read Chapters 5-7 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this one into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205-7&version=9

Today we will be reading about Christ, the High Priest; an appeal to believe; the priestly order of Melchizedek; and the priesthood or Aaron which was inferior to Christ's. Today's message focuses on the importance of God's Mercy.

Before Jesus, there was a huge difference between a high priest and other priests. Only the high priest was allowed to annually enter the Holy of Holies which held the very presence of God (See Exodus 28). Only he could offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation and intercede on the annual Day of Atonement. And as we know, an animal without blemish was given as a sacrifice in place of the sinner to avoid death by sin. "For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Hebrews 5:1-4).

Today, we still have someone who intercedes our way to the presence of God, that person is Jesus Christ. He became the sinless sacrifice that would change how we are saved from sin forever. We no longer have to find a high priest to be saved nor be without the presence of God in our lives. Once we accept Jesus into our lives we are saved forever and enjoy the wonderful presence of God with us always.

Can you imagine being in a time when the only way to be saved from death by sin was by taking an animal to the one and only man who had access to the presence of God? Thank God that He sent Jesus and brought Him to save us. "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" (5:8-9)

How thankful and grateful we need to be for His wonderful mercy upon us. Mercy is an attribute of God and one of our greatest daily needs. Mercy is an expression of His willingness to forgive sinners and deliver them from death by sin. Mercy involves love as well as compassion.

How much more we can be assured of God's mercy through Christ, our exalted Lord, making intercession for us? "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore." (7:22-28).

Our highest privilege is to press on to be like Him and treasure the will of God as the most precious thing in our life. Too often our trouble is not that we do not know the will of God but, rather, that we do not yield to His will when He makes it clear.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
As Your children we need to regularly examine our hearts to see if there are things, pursuits, or attitudes that are drawing us away from Your heart and thrusting us once again into the mindset of the world. Since You know our hearts more than we do ourselves, reveal to us that which helps and that which hinders our Christian walk. As we walk in obedience to You we are grateful for the peace and rest we receive in knowing that You do not condemn us, but deliver mercy to help us in our time of need. You do not stand over us in judgment, but You walk alongside us assuring us of Your unwavering love and unending mercy that will see us through on this side of the journey. In Jesus' name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night.
God Bless and Merry Christmas,
Christina

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