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March 31, 1999, Wednesday
Does God's Word tell us who will not be in heaven and who
will not inherit God's Kingdom? What is essential to the
born-again believer? Does a person have to be saved more
than one time? Is it sad to know that some continue to put
off and do not prioritize the salvation for their soul?
After describing a number of characteristics of people
that wouldn't inherit God's kingdom, Paul reminded early
Corinthian Believers that the Lord had changed all that-
"Some of you were like that. But you have been purified
from sin; you have been dedicated to God; you have been
put right with God by the Lord Jesus Christ and by the
Spirit of our God" (1Cor 6:11). Essential to the born-
again Believer is the knowledge that the old life is dead!
John described that complete deliverance from death that
was completed for us by Jesus who rose from the dead!--
"And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first
born of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To Him who loves us, and released us from our sins by His
blood on the cross" (Rev 1:5). This cleansing is effected
one time only, and is never repeated and points to that
which takes place at the beginning of the Christian life,
embracing the complete absolution from sin as a guilty
state, and entire deliverance from it as a polluted life.
Jesus instructed His disciples of the different cleansing
of the Believer, but expressed the priority for every person
to be secure of their salvation, deliverance, and cleansing-
"He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is
completely clean; and you all are clean, but not every
one of you" (John 13:10). The other cleansing, described
as that of "the feet," is such as one walking from a bath
quite cleansed still needs, in consequence of his contact
with the earth. Judas had many opportunities but delayed
and did not prioritize the salvation of his soul!
Let us remember who is the God that sanctifies us as a
holy people. God's Name is Jehová Mekaddesh, He is the
Lord that sets His people apart. He completely cleanses
us from all unrighteousness. He completely liberates us
from the power of sin. He completely fills us with His
Holy Spirit. Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today
for His mercy, purpose, and will to sanctify us!
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