Article

Our Mission

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, at duo affert homero incorrupte, vis eripuit accusata ut, wisi reprehendunt cum in. Te facete accumsan quo. Simul dolor eos te, ad possit adipiscing pri. Ius diceret neglegentur in, eos ridens nusquam legendos ad, his lucilius consequat id.

Article - Trust God's Word

Trust God's Word

Is it possible to really know God today? To know Him as we know others about us?  Is it possible to find peace and joy in this life which so often is afflicted by pain, sorrow, worry, anxiety and fear?  Yes, it is possible.  Almighty God is real, even though you might not know Him personally at this moment.  The Holy Scriptures – the Bible – is the literal Word of God to you and to me today.  It is the place where you can find God and the answers to the frustration of living and the fear of dying.  I would like to share with you a number of verses of Scripture…truth, found in the pages of the Book of books, the Bible.

 

In the Bible book of Hebrews, chapter 10, “For the law (of Moses) having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offer make the comers thereunto perfect.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered?  Because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.  But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.”

 

The reference here in verses 1-3 is to the law given by God through Moses (the law with the accompanying God given method of cleansing from sin as found in the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, and the daily sacrifices for sin).  When an individual sinned, if he sincerely wanted God’s forgiveness, he brought an animal sacrifice to the Jewish priest who would slay the sacrifice and offer the blood upon the altar to God in the Jewish Tabernacle.  Once a year, on Yom Kippur, the Jewish High Priest made one great sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel and its people. 

 

The Scripture here in Hebrews chapter 10 tells us that these Old Testament sacrifices could not make the worshippers perfect; that is, it was necessary to offer the sacrifices every year, and day by day, to be forgiven of sin.  The offerings did not put within the individual the power to keep him from committing the sin again.  He would have to do the best he could with his normal powers.  When the person failed God, then he had to offer a sacrifice for his disobedience and sin.  The reason the sacrifice had to continue year after year was that this was done within the realm of human ability.  But God, in His great love and plan for the ages, foretold in the Jewish Holy Scriptures about an eternal sacrifice that would be offered once for all time – it would not have to be repeated.  This sacrifice would be from God and so be divine intervention in the issue of sin and forgiveness. 

 

The Holy Scriptures foretold the coming to earth of the Messiah, to die as a once for all time sacrifice for man’s sins.  The atonement which, when a person accepted it by faith, he or she would find the power by the Spirit of God to keep the believer from practicing sin.  It would not be necessary to offer blood of atonement sacrifices, for the blood of atonement would be offered once for all time in the shedding of the blood of the Messiah.  The Messiah of Israel, being eternal, would need to die for our sins only once, for His sacrifice would be eternal in that He is the Son of God.

 

The Word of God from the 10th chapter of the book of Hebrews starting at verse 9 says, “Then said he (Messiah Jesus), Lo, I come to do thy will Oh God.  He (God) taketh away the first (atonement under the law given to Moses), that he may establish the second (atonement under the eternal Messiah) by which we are sanctified (set apart to God) through the offering of the body of Jesus the Messiah once for all.”  But this man (Messiah) “after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Spirit also is a witness to us: (it is the Holy Spirit of God who makes redemption from sin through Jesus’ atonement real in our hearts and lives)…for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

 

By faith in Messiah as our atonement and Redeemer, our sins are forgiven and God will remember them against us no more.  Oh friend, this brings peace to the heart of the believer and a clean feeling that you can never know outside of God’s cleansing. When you put your faith in God’s Word, that God will do what He has promised, and you know your sins have been forgiven, then you can approach God in prayer and by faith claim all the promises of God for your daily life - for guidance, wisdom and every need as you walk the path of faith and obedience to God.  Notice the results of faith here in Hebrews 10, verses 19, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.  Let us hold fast the profession, or confession, of our faith (in God and Messiah) without wavering (for he is faithful that promised) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and do good works.”

 

Today, through the blood of Messiah Jesus which He shed for us when He died on the cross that we might be forgiven of sin, for Messiah Jesus took our penalty for sin when He died in our place…today, you and I can know God personally.  Trust God and His Word, the Bible, place your faith in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, and you will experience cleansing and peace with God.  Through the Spirit of God who comes to the heart of the believer, you can know the peace of God no matter what your present problem or situation in this life.  Yes, God is able to meet you this very day if you will give Him the opportunity.  Jesus is the promised Jewish Messiah.

 

My friend, do you delay in this vital matter of your soul’s eternal welfare?  You will spend time today in making a living to provide for this life; you will perhaps enjoy some recreation, go out with your family, but will you take time to find out the truth about sin and the forgiveness of sin.  Investigate now, seek God now.  Do not delay.

 

God’s Holy Scriptures give you the key to unlock the mysteries of life and death.  We live in a day in which many people are indifferent to the Holy Scriptures and the things of Almighty God.  The advantages of living in our materialistic society have caused many to feel that they can get along without God.  A new home, two cars, a good education, profession and income, along with a family in good health, is the ultimate in the eyes of many people.  Their minds are exercised entirely with the physical things of this life and they take no time to consider their eternal welfare.  When they are brought into contact with the Bible in some way, their attitude is one of rejection of the Scriptures because they feel that there is nothing in the Bible that relates to their living in this generation.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

 

Perhaps you are one of these individuals who feel that the Bible is not practical to this life but deals with stories, dreams, and fantasy.  The Bible is the most practical book you will ever read.  God’s Word (the Holy Scripture) is able to show you your real self, and not only convict of sin but it gives to us the answer as to how to restore our relationship to God which has been broken by our sins.  Now you might be thinking, this matter of sin is strictly from the dark ages.  We don’t believe in sin any more.  Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned and come short.”  People feel they can take care of themselves.  Can you?  Can you do without Almighty God?  Can you live a life unto yourself and work out all your problems?

 

My friend, you are not now, nor will you ever be self-sufficient.  You are daily dependent upon other people in order to live.  Do you grow all your own food?  No, you buy all or some of it.  Did you make your own car from the dust of the earth?  No, you bought it.  Can you take care of the matter of what’s going to happen when you die?  If you honestly consider the matter of self-sufficiency, you cannot help but come to the conclusion that you are absolutely dependent for all things in this life.  And so it will also be when you face death.  Since we are dependent people in this life, then what is wrong with being dependent upon God for our fulfillment in this life and for preparation for eternity?  Do not neglect, nor forget God.  Do not mock His work, for He is your only real peace in this life and for the life to come after death.  You say, when I die that is the end of everything for me.  Can you prove to me that the Bible is not true?  Can you prove to me there is no Heaven and Hell?  No – you can’t!  I would challenge you today, especially my Jewish friends, to honestly and with an open mind consider the Word of God. 

 

We read from the Bible book of Hebrews, chapter 10, beginning with verse 28:  “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be though worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”

 

What do these verses say to us today?  We note here the seriousness of one’s attitude toward God, the Bible and the Messiah’s atonement for our sins.  The reader is referred back to the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy 17:2-6 where we find that when people sinned against the law of God, the people were to mete out punishment upon those who had carelessly disobeyed the Word of the Lord.  By the immediate punishment of sin, the people and nation were spared the judgment of God upon them for their disobedience.  In 17:7 the result was “so thou shalt put away evil from among you.” 

 

But what of our day?  Crime and violence are rampant, and in my judgment many times the criminal, the sinner, is protected and nothing is done for the one against whom the crime was committed.  Our present society has so molded the philosophy of some people that they feel they can despise God’s law with impunity.  Listen to the Word of the Living, Almighty God.  In Hebrews 10:29-31 we are warned that the judgment of God will come upon the unbeliever.  You cannot mock God and His grace as given in the offering of His Son, Messiah Jesus for our sins, and expect to live in peace.

 

The men in the Old Testament who rejected the Word of God given through Moses were judged and punished for their sin.  Today, God warns us that we will be judged and punished for our sins.  You may ask, “Since I am a sinner and I know it, I know I am not perfect and I fail to keep God’s Word and Law.  How can I escape the judgment of God upon my sins?”  The answer is found within the truth of the Holy Scriptures.  We read of the Son of God…the blood of the covenant.  This is the answer for us today.  This is the place to meet God on His terms and so come to know cleansing from our sins and be restored to the peace of God. 

 

Who is the Son of God?  Does God have a Son?  In the Jewish Holy Scriptures, the Old Testament, the Son of God is mentioned by name in Proverbs.  Upon careful study of the Old Testament Scriptures, we find that the Son of God and the Messiah are one in the same Divine Person who is sent from Heaven by God the Father. The Messiah is sent to earth to die to provide for mankind the blood of atonement which God demanded for our cleansing from sin.  A covenant is a contract or agreement.  The key verse about this Old Testament blood of atonement is found in the third book of Moses, Leviticus 17:11, “For the Life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”  When a person sinned under the old covenant, he had to bring the specified animal to be sacrificed by the Jewish priest to God.  When God saw the sincerity of the person’s repentance, and the blood of atonement, the Bible says the sins were forgiven.  Today, the blood covenant is found in the Messiah who came in Jesus, died for our sins, was raised from the grave by God and now sits at the right hand of God as foretold in the Old Testament.

 

In Ephesians in the Bible, chapter 1, verses 7 and following we read of Jesus the Messiah, “In whom we have redemption (from sin) through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”  Today, in order to find real peace with God and ourselves, we are to realize that we are sinners before God.  We must pray to God and ask for His forgiveness.  We must believe in His Son, Messiah Jesus, who died and arose from the grave to provide the blood of atonement for us.  God has promised to hear our prayer, and to cleanse from all sin through the power of the shed blood of His Son. 

 

What does it mean to believe? What is faith?  Is it possible to have faith and be accepted in our society of so-called “enlightened or intelligent people?”  Is it possible that faith in God and the Bible will bring to you the answers to the needs in your life?  If I can see it, I’ll believe it!  Is this your philosophy of life or do you actually take things by faith?  Do you require an understanding of the workings of all things before you will use them and put them into practice in your life?  If you say yes, let me ask you a question.  Do you have to understand the process of digestion and assimilation in your body in every detail before you will eat?  You do take your body processes by faith for you probably do not really understand how it all works and you have never seen it work with your own eyes.  If the doctor says take this pill four times a day, we do it.  How can we swallow a tiny pill and it takes away pain in various places throughout the body.

 

When you carefully examine the position that you will never accept anything unless you can see it and understand it, you will realize that it is not a viable position for all your life, day by day.  In life, you are actually exercising faith by knowing, for example, that a pill from the doctor will help you or that if you eat good food, it will nourish your body.  Do you understand the detailed working of a computer?  I don’t know how a little box, the hard drive, can store billions of letters, etc, and yet it does.  This is all faith!

 

Now what does this have to do with this article?  It is our desire to acquaint you with the Living Almighty God through His revealed will to all men as found in the pages of the Holy Scriptures, the Bible.  To accomplish this, we study the Bible book of Hebrews which is filled with truth for our lives today.  Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the faith chapter; that is, it defines and illustrates just what faith is and what faith should mean in our lives and in our relationship to God.  You ask, is it really necessary to have faith?  In Hebrews 11:6 we read, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  It would be well just now, to show you the difference between faith and belief.  Most people say that they believe in God, and even believe that Jesus lived here on earth about 2,000 years ago.  This you believe but it has not changed your life.  You still are not certain your sins have been forgiven.  You are still not certain of what happens after death.  You are still not certain that the Bible is the Word of God.

 

Just to believe in God is not sufficient to change your life.  You must have God’s power working actively in your life, and this comes only when you put your faith and trust in God, the Bible, the Messiah, and the plan of redemption for sin revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures.  Now just what is the difference between faith and belief?  To believe is to acknowledge the existence of, the reality of, to assent to testimony.  To have faith is to assent to testimony united with trust.  Faith is active.  It is an act both of the understanding and the will.  Usually among those who have experienced God’s redemption from sin and are living for God by the indwelling Spirit of God, belief and faith are used interchangeably and mean the same thing.

 

My friend, this will not give you a right relationship with God.  You must have an active faith or trust which takes the promises of God as given to us in the Bible and applies them to daily living as well as to our eternity.  Some benefit emotionally can come from belief in the historical existence of Jesus.  But true faith in Him, as God’s Messiah, reliance upon Him for atonement (the forgiveness of sin) will make all of the promises of God a reality in your life.  Ask for the true faith to trust Him.

 

Hebrews is one of the books of the New Covenant, or Testament, which makes quite clear the relationship of the Jewish priesthood to our lives today.  The Messiah has provided for us in His death and resurrection, the blood of atonement whereby we may be cleansed of all sin.  Jesus is our Jewish high priest today.  The atonement is made personal to us as we put our faith in what God has said and what He has done for us in Messiah Jesus.  In the first ten chapters of Hebrews we have considered this great redemption and what it can mean in the life of Jews and Gentiles.  We have seen that the blessings of God are appropriated by faith.

 

In Hebrews chapter 11, we find a definition of faith, followed by many examples of men and women of faith in the Jewish Holy Scriptures (Hebrews 11:7-11, 23-30, 32-34).  In verse one of this chapter we read, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Another way to read this verse is “Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things hoped for, being the proof of things (we) do not see and the conviction of their reality – faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses.”

 

This verse takes in the past, present and the future for faith encompasses our entire life as we know it.  Faith goes back to the ages past and answers the questions there, and faith in God’s Inspired Word, the Bible, takes care of the question of the present.  Faith in the Holy Scriptures provides understanding for the future and delivers us from fear of the future.  I am certain we all have driven our cars on a very dark night and looking ahead we could see very little.  But, when we turn on the headlights or the high beam and light flooded the darkness enabling us to see ahead, we move forward unafraid.  In like manner, faith is the key that turns on the power of the Bible to provide light for your pathway in life now and for eternity.  The Psalmist in the Scriptures said, in Psalm 119, verse 105, “Thy Word (that is the Bible) is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”  If you are looking for direction in life, for hope and assurance for the future, you will find it in the Bible as you place your absolute faith in it as God’s Word to you.  While you do not know me, many people have heard me say that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my sins have been forgiven and I know I am going to spend eternity in Heaven with God someday.  This assurance has been questioned by some people but it is real in my life because I trust God and His Word – His promises. 

 

I would share with you just what faith in God and His Word, in Messiah Jesus and redemption through His shed blood can mean in your life.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance” or, “Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title-deed) of the things we hope for.”  To put your faith in Messiah is to pray to God and ask God to cleanse you of your sins and restore you to fellowship with Him.  This is reality, for faith is substance, faith is the title-deed.  Have you ever owned anything which is legally yours because you hold a deed or a title to it – like a car, a house or piece of property?  Faith brings to your heart and life just such a title deed.  Not only is faith as real as a deed to a property or a title to a car, but it is actually evidence to the believing heart.  Faith makes the Bible become personal experience which in turn is the evidence.  The Bible is our title-deed to our home in Heaven.  That which we have seen and known personally is evidence to us.  Faith makes the desired experience with God a reality and evidence.  When you, as an individual, examine God’s Word and you know that it is true, it is possible for you, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit to then put your faith in Jesus as your Messiah and Saviour and to know forgiveness of sin.  By the exercise of faith you will know the joy of sins forgiven and of being able to pray and know that God hears and answers prayer.

 

How about you today, do you believe in the Messiah?  Have you sought God for cleansing, or have you mocked and made fun of God’s Holy Word and His Son and His redemption offered freely to all people.  When God’s Spirit speaks to your heart, when you feel the convicting power of God upon your life, then seek Him with all your heart.  Do not trample under foot the truths of God, but consider…consider. 

 

In Ephesians 2: 8 and 9, “For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Today, ask God to give you faith to believe His Word that you might know Him as your own personal Saviour and Lord.

 

 



I am a Jewish Bible believer and I know resurrection to eternal life in Heaven awaits me when I die.  I praise God!  Shalom!

Contact Us

 

God's Word Is Truth
P.O. Box 156
Ephrata, PA 17522-0156
USA