Don't Presume on God's Grace

This song is based on Paul's warning in Romans 2:4-5 "Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?  But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed."

Why does Yeshua rebuke five of His seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3?  These are His redeemed people, claiming to be saved by His grace and yet He rebukes them that they still have not repented.  And He warns that if they won't repent, He will war against them and come upon them as a thief in the night.  This reminds me of Jude's warning in verse 5 "Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Yeshua, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, AFTERWARDS destroyed those who did not believe."

First of all, how awesome that Yeshua was there in the Exodus?  Stephen confirms this in Acts 7:38, when he tells us Yeshua Himself delivered the Law through Moses at Mount Sinai to a people redeemed by His GRACE (Israelites AND mixed multitude of gentiles - see Exodus 9:20 & 12:38).  Secondly, harsh judgment came upon these people AFTER their redemption through Grace from Egypt.  There was a separation of the goats from the sheep, so-to-speak, from among His redeemed people.  Many perished for their rebellion to God's Torah including Korah.  

We are told in Romans 15:4 that "whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction."  And 2 Timothy confirms this by saying that Scripture (being the Old Testament - because the New Testament was not canonized til hundreds of years later) is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for our correction and for our training in righteousness.

So what does scripture teach us on what true repentance is?  Let us turn to the Scriptures, to our instructions, and find out what the Bride is still missing regarding true repentance.

Grace first, followed by God's Torah (instructions on how to live as a people set apart by His grace) and in the end, a war against those who accepted His Grace and then trampled upon it by refusing to submit and believe His Torah as holy, righteous and good.  After all, this very Torah became flesh and blood and dwelt among us.  These are those whom Yeshua will say "as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them [because they thought me harsh], bring them here and slaughter them before me."  (Luke 19:27)

So my darlings, let us not presume on God's mercy... but let us bear fruit in keeping with our repentance.  True scriptural repentance as defined by God, not man.

(as a side note, I apologize for the shaky video footage.  I am an amateur of amateurs! ;)

Open Their Eyes That They May Turn

These past twenty-four hours, there's been what feels like an inundation of scripture songs pouring into and out of my heart.  The theme is certainly a call out for repentance.  I'll share them as they come and as time permits me to upload them.

This song is in regards to Acts 26:18.

The setting?  The Apostle Paul (or Shaul) is pleading his case before King Agrippa in Rome.  He is relieved because this King is acquainted with the Law of God and so Paul is certain he can explain why he is wrongfully accused by the unbelievers of Jewish descent.  Paul is at the part where he explains how Yeshua (Jesus) appeared to him in a bright light and spoke "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."  (How beautiful is our Messiah's love that even in our ignorant zealousness that blinds us to the very blood of saints upon our hands, He cries out to us patiently?)  This song is Yeshua's call to Saul: "I am Yeshua whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles - to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may TURN (repent) from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive the forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."

Isn't it fascinating how scripture defines rebellion to God as one and the same for Israel and for Gentiles?  And that turning back, repenting, is one and the same?  There is no partiality with God.

My darlings, may His Spirit anoint us all as His witnesses... to empower us to "open their eyes" so that they may repent and turn back to our merciful God who forgives abundantly for His name's sake!  Blessed be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... our Righteous Law-Giver to a people redeemed from Egypt, who saves us from ourselves!  God bless you all out there! ((HUG))