In Christ - I am near to Jesus

I am near to Jesus...

 

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 

 

Psalms 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 
 
James 4:8a Come near to God and He will come near to you.

 

Torn in Two

Morning and Evening - C.H. Spurgeon and Alistair Begg

April 19, 2013

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.
Matthew 27:51
 "No small miracle was performed in the tearing of so strong and thick a curtain; but it was not intended merely as a display of power--many lessons were contained in it.

 

"The old law of ordinances was put away and, like a worn-out garment, torn and set aside. When Jesus died, the sacrifices were all finished, because they were fulfilled in Him; and therefore the place of sacrifice, the temple, was marked with a clear sign of this change.

 

"With the curtain torn, all the hidden things of the old dispensation became apparent: The mercy-seat could now be seen, and the glory of God gleaming above it. By the death of our Lord Jesus we have a clear revelation of God, for He was 'not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face.' Life and immortality are now brought to light, and things that have been hidden since the foundation of the world are displayed in Him.

 

"The annual ceremony of atonement was also abolished. The atoning blood that once every year was sprinkled inside the curtain was now offered once for all by the great High Priest, and therefore the place of the symbolical rite was finished. No blood of bullocks or of lambs is needed now, for Jesus has entered inside the curtain with His own blood.

 

"Therefore access to God is now permitted and is the privilege of every believer in Christ Jesus. It is not just a small opening through which we may peer at the mercy-seat, but the tear reaches from the top to the bottom. We may come with boldness to the throne of heavenly grace.

 

"Is it wrong to suggest that the opening of the Holy of Holies in this marvelous manner by our Lord's expiring cry was signifying the opening of the gates of paradise to all the saints by virtue of the Passion? Our bleeding Lord has the key of heaven; He opens and no man shuts; let us enter in with Him to the heavenly places and sit with Him there until our common enemies shall be made His footstool."
 

What separated Adam and Eve from God?  It was their sin.  What separated the children of Israel from Jehovah?  It was their sin.  What separates man from knowing God now?  Our sin.  Praise JESUS that a way has been made to have fellowship with Him again!  Once saved, we have immediate access to Jesus - and to the Father - and nothing and no one can keep us from drawing near to Him!  We're still going to sin - and when we do we need to repent - turn from our sin - agree with God that what we've done is wrong - and then we're able to experience the full benefit of a relationship with Jesus.  Is there something in your life today that needs to be confessed?  Don't let another minute go by without taking it to the Father - drawing near to His heart - and allowing Him to wash and cleanse you anew!  Don't be afraid to draw near - He longs to be near you, too!  Sharon