The Gospel
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Mark 1:15
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
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I John 2:15-17
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
There are many nations on earth, but only two kingdoms: The kingdom of this world and its ruler, and the kingdom of God.
There are many statutes on earth, but two laws govern all of humanity: The law of sin and death and the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus that makes us free from the law of sin and death. The latter blotting out the former through faith in the Son of God. Through faith that Jesus Christ died on a cross for our sins and was resurrected on the third day. The Son of God who became the Son of Man, descended from eternity, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem us from the law, the law of sin and death. For the soul that sins it shall die. And all have sinned.
It is so powerful to think of Jesus walking this earth, all the fullness of the Godhead dwelling in Him as He proclaimed, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Oh, how this scripture still thunders through this fallen world 2000 years later.
Because of sin, and all have sinned, the kingdom of this world and the unbelieving citizens thereof are dead in the sight of God, and will soon experience the eternal wrath of God. But God Who is rich in mercy in His great love for humanity, when we are dead in sin, children of wrath, He will make us alive together with His resurrected Son, by grace through faith. He will deliver us from the power of darkness, the kingdom of this world, and translate us into the kingdom of His dear Son, Who gives us eternal life.
“The kingdom of God is at hand.” How powerful, that no matter our past, His kingdom is now within reach, all because Jesus came. The most precious gift, fulfilling our greatest need, the saving of our soul. A gift that is only received and unwrapped through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We do not deserve Him, we are completely unworthy. Yet He calls us, forgives us, cleanses us and is patient with us as He conforms us to His image. As we die daily, forsaking whatever is not of Him, He gives us beauty for ashes. As we hunger for more of Jesus, seeking and following Him, He matures us in the faith, in love, in the kingdom of God.
Beloved, we love God because He first loved us. Thus, we no longer love the kingdom that we have been delivered from, though we love all. We no longer love our old life, our sins that nailed the Son of God to the cross. But our desire is to live a life that is pleasing to our Father through the law of the Spirit of life in His resurrected Son. His divine power gives us all things as it pertains to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that has called us to glory and virtue. Having delivered us from darkness, into His marvelous light.
Today, who is in right standing with God? Those who are citizens of His kingdom, granted access through faith in His Son. Reconciled to the Father, born of the Holy Spirit, children of the Most High, whose names are written in the book of life. For God has made us accepted in His beloved Son.
Today, who can be delivered into right standing with God? Everyone who repents and puts their faith in His Son. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. Today is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptable time.
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Romans 16:27
To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.