Because HE first LOVED us, we now LOVE HIM.
Brethren,
Surely, we each know that there are all kinds of diseases." Yes?"
Well, of all diseases, leprosy is the one singled out by the law of Moses and linked with sin." It’s not that having leprosy was sinful, though, it was likely, caused by sin. But leprosy was seen as a graphic symbol of sin." If we could see sin, it would look like leprosy!"
"Detestable!"
In Mark 1 we read about a leper who fell on his knees before The LORD and made a request: “If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.”
That petition, Beloved," is the first instance in the Gospels of a request for healing.
It's a touching scene!"
The LORD was “moved with compassion.” People normally felt sympathy for the sick, but not for lepers! "But why?"
Well, because leprosy, was abominable, detestable, and unacceptable, to be found amongst. And so, those with leprosy were considered “unclean,” both ceremonially, and physically, as revealed in Lev. 13:45; 22:4."
Lepers were repulsive to most people, and so, they stayed as far away from them, as possible!" None wanted, their disease! "None wanted, to be counted among the "Unclean."
Leviticus 13:45 exposes this unpleasant scene, by saying: "Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, 'Unclean, Unclean!'
Nevertheless, The LORD was “willing” to reach out to this desperate, disease-ridden man, and actually touch him. "GOD was willing to touch him, with The TRUTH of HIS WORD?
Yes!" Even, as HE, was willing to touch "each of us," when we embraced The TRUTH of HIS WORD."
Right!"
For when, we did; "HE approved of us, and entrusted us with The GOSPEL to speak, not as pleasing men, but GOD Who tests our hearts!
"Tests our hearts?"💕
Yes, Tests our hearts, specifically for FAITH!"
For when one Believes, The WORD of The LIVING GOD." Such a one, knows, that we've been approved of, by GOD."
Yes, approved of, and entrusted with The GOSPEL of HIS Son, to speak." Knowing, that he who wins Soul's is wise!"
That it is wise, to share The GOOD NEWS of The RISEN CHRIST."
For consider what manner of LOVE that GOD has bestowed upon us, in giving us this WORD, from 1st John 3:1-5, saying": Behold what manner of LOVE The FATHER has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of GOD! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know HIM.
Beloved, now we are children of GOD; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when HE is revealed, we shall be like HIM, for we shall see HIM as HE is. And everyone who has this Hope inside of him purifies himself, just as HE is PURE.
[Now this is an admonition"; but please; "stay with me."]
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness. And you know that HE was manifested to take away our sins, and in HIM there is no sin.
[Why, is there no sin, in HIM - In CHRIST JESUS?"]
Because, John the Baptist,
inspired by The HOLY SPIRIT, said, of JESUS: "Behold, The LAMB of GOD Who takes away the sin of the world.
The "BLOOD of CHRIST," Beloved," is unlike the blood of bulls and goats, that merely, "covered, Israel's sin."
Only covered Israel's sin?"
Yes, merely covered their transgressions, iniquities, and rebellions." And only, for a determined amount of time."
For every year, they had need of another sacrificial lamb, to cover the sin of the people.
But The BLOOD of CHRIST, "Beloved, "took away" the sin of the world."🌎
Now one, must merely, apply The BLOOD of CHRIST." And do so, by FAITH." Yes, by Believing The WORD of The LIVING GOD, which moves us to repent of our sins."
And because we Believe, that our sins have been dealt with, and taken away." We speak!"
Even, as the children of Israel, "Believed." Yes, they even knew, that GOD, through Moses, was telling all of Israel, "To apply the blood of an "unblemished lamb," to the doorposts of their homes. And that this was to be done, before the angel of death, passed over all of Egypt, to strike down the first born of every home. Yes, every home, that was not covered by "the blood" of an unblemished lamb."
For by their obedience, in doing as The WORD of The LIVING GOD, instructed them." Their firstborn children, would be spared from death."
In like manner, because we each embrace The WORD of The LIVING GOD - JESUS CHRIST." HE gives us, HIS report, speaking of HIS finished work of The Cross, for the remission of our sins.
"And because we Believe; We each," have been spared from certain death.
From an Eternal death!"
For Romans 6:23 assures us that the wages of sin, is death."
But because we Trust in The finished work of The Cross of CHRIST; "HIS death, on The Cross, was, and is, our death."
Even, as HIS RESURRECTION; is our promise of Everlasting LIFE!"
Thus, we can each say: I am my Beloveds; "and my Beloved, is mine."
"HE, is!"
Yes?"
Then consider, Galatians 2:20, and the apostle Paul, giving us this WORD, saying: I have been crucified with CHRIST; it is no longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the LIFE which I now live in the flesh
I live by FAITH in The Son of GOD and gave HIMSELF for me.
With that said; "Can we each agree, that we have been crucified with CHRIST; And that it is no longer we who live; but CHRIST lives in us? Yes?
And that the LIFE which we now live in the flesh we live by FAITH in The Son of GOD, Who LOVED us and gave HIMSELF for us.
Yes?"
For isn't that how, our LORD, and GOD,
Proved, HIS GREAT LOVE for us?"
According to John 15:13, "it most certainly, is!" And because HE first LOVED us, "we now LOVE HIM!" And embrace HIS commandment, to LOVE one another."
JESUS
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