Today's Passage - Hebrews 9:23-26

Hebrews 9:23-26   It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.     Jesus Christ is the great high priest we have in heaven and the sacrifice we have on earth. The purpose of the Old Testament law is to bring people to repentance before God. Although the Old Testament people did not see salvation being completed, they could repent and ask for forgiveness by faith, and make earthly sacrifices to God. When they confess their sins before God, it is not that their sins are removed when they make earthly sacrifices, but their sins are paid on credit, looking forward to the coming of Christ. It is like using a credit card, first the debt of sin is placed on account, and when Jesus came and died on the cross, the sins are paid for in full. Everyone in the Old Testament who confess their sins by faith, and all in the new Testament who confess their sins, had their sins paid for completely at the time when Jesus was crucified on the cross! Jesus made the sacrifice once and for all and it is effective forever. This is why we no longer need to make any sacrifices, because the blood of Christ covers all our sins. Of course, this does not mean that we can do whatever we want. Once you understand the love of Christ and how great is His salvation in your life, your heart will be filled with awe and you will not dare to act recklessly because you know how much Jesus loves you.     In the same way, in your walk with God, once you understand how much God loves you, you will be careful in how you act. Of course, we will still sin, but when we come to God and confess our sins, God will have mercy on us. Our faith in God is not built upon laws, but is build on love. When we receive God's love, we can gladly love God. This is because the blood of Christ is so precious, we can live for Him each day. We love, because He first loved us; Once you understand this, you will gladly live for the Lord each day!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord, I thank you because your grace in our lives is so great. Open our eyes to see how precious your grace is and help us live for you each day. If there is anything in our lives that is not pleasing to you, help us to bring them before you and cleanse us of our sins. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!      Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!