No More Sacrifice for Willful Sin

For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Heb 10:26-27)

How we value death of the Son of God on the Cross for our sins is reflected in our attitude towards sin and sins. Our actions of ‘sins’ is the result  of our ‘sin’ nature, the former dealt by the blood of the Lamb, and the sin nature can only be dealt by the cross (Rom 6:6). As much as a good tree bears good fruit so a bad tree will bear bad fruit, God is cannot be mocked as we will reap what we sow ( Gal 6:7). Having this knowledge of the truth, we know that the justified will certainly need to live by faith. We can determine not to sin as much as we can, but we will fail. It is not trying not to sin, but realizing that the ‘I’ will fail and therefore the greater our dependency on Christ.

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (Heb 11:25)

The converse of having a clear conscience is a seared one. Searing of our conscience is the result of justifying sin and not wanting to deal with it. We will not be able to experience the greater joy of freedom from sin and having the choice not to sin if we allow a defeated mentality to rule. Our minds truly need renewal by His Word if we are trapped in this rut. There is no such thing as small and big sins, Christ would have us deal with both. There isn't a sin too big that He cannot forgive and cleanse us from (1 Tim 1:15), the Lord can give us the capacity to experience salvation from Sin to be a son of God if we only yield to Him (Matt 1:21).

Oneness in Intercession

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (Exo 14:15-16)

Jesus prayed in John 17 that His Body, the church to be one and to be in Christ as He was one with the Father. It is liken to a pickle immersed in the pickling solution, the pickle being in the solution and the pickle infused with the pickling solution; both are one in flavor and aroma. A nonabsorbent material can never be pickled no matter how long it stays in the solution; hence it lacks oneness.  Baptism in the Holy Spirit is essentially that the child of God is so deeply immersed in Christ and out of that immersion he or she has the mind, character qualities and outworking of Christ nature.

And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. (Exo 7:1)

Intercession is to stand on behalf of another as a priest before God. When we are one with the Lord Jesus in will and mind there are prayers that God want us to exercise in the same authority as He would.  He is looking for those who would be kings and priests, not in heaven but on the earth (Rev 5:10).  Jesus wants His church on earth to be Him to the lost and dying world (1 John 4:17).  Are willing to be cleansed, set apart, and molded according to His standards. Aaron’s priestly garments are made in one size only; it is for us to fit into the role not the role fit into us. 

The Cross and Love

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love… (Jer 31:3)

We shouldn't misinterpreted the love of God, as much as He has never changing so are His ways and His love towards His children. To reduce the love of God is to reduce Him, for God is love. The same love He loved us, is the same love we ought to love one another (1 John 3:16, 4:11). God’s love is Jesus laying down His life for us, hence we do likewise. God’s standard of love hasn't changed; therefore we shouldn't look at His love with human goose bump sentimentalism. God is not man.

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith …. (2Pe 1:5)

We are indeed saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8); there is no doubt about this truth. But the Apostle Peter beckons us not to stop at faith but continue to maturity and not barrenness and fruitlessness (2 Pet 1:8). The level of maturity, Peter tells us, is brotherly kindness which is above godliness (2 Pet 1:7). Most would think that Christ-likeness is the chief goal, but it is to love others. For God is love… to be godly is to love others. The love of God is laying down self for others, esteeming others above self. The cross of laying down self will take us to this position that loving self is negated and replaced with loving others.