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Do As I Say
Not As I Do
by Pastor John Hamel
“For Christ also hath ONCE suffered for
sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to
death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18)
One afternoon after
a time spent studying for a service I was to be conducting, I stopped to
check the News. Putting on a local television station there in
Tulsa,
Oklahoma, I was shocked and
horrified to find myself watching “Breaking News”.
As I watched, a
man doused himself with gasoline, lit a match and exploded into
flames. I was sickened deep inside. Someone jumped on him with
a blanket or a coat, beating the flames until they were extinguished.
As the burned man lay there with smoke literally rising up off of him,
someone shouted, “Why did you do it? Why did you do it?” The
horribly burned man gasped, “To atone for my sins.”
My heart broke as
the above verse of Scripture came to mind, “Christ has suffered ONCE
…” Once is enough!
How many other
people over the past 2,000 years since Christ paid for our sins, have done
what this tormented man did? How many others have tried to do for
themselves what Christ has already done for us all?
Man simply does not
have to pay the penalty for his own sins if he’ll accept Christ’s sacrifice
on his behalf. Jesus, the Bible says, became sin and spent three days
in Hell – all on behalf of fallen man.
“For as Jonas was
three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man
be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew
12:40)
“For he hath made
him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.” (2Corinthians 5:21)
All one must do now
is tell God that they trust in Jesus’ sacrifice on
their behalf and then ask Christ to be their Savior. To do this
simply say, “Jesus, You’re my choice” (Romans 10:13) and you’ll instantly acquire a brand new relationship with God – with
all sins paid in full.
Jesus explained it
this way to a religious leader who had come to Him.
“…Verily, verily, I
say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of
God…. That which is
born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit.” (John 3:3,6)
Jesus was saying
this. “The first time you are born, you are birthed physically
through a woman. The second time you are born or “Born Again”, you are
birthed into the Spirit realm through Me, your Savior.” It’s just
that simple.
There’s no mystery
to being “Born Again.” It’s nothing to be confused by or ashamed
of. It’s the way God in His love has provided for
sin’s penalty to be fully paid by Jesus.
It’s futile to
attempt to pay the penalty for our own sins. Jesus has already done
that. Don’t try to re-do what He has done. It’s not possible to
“go back to the Cross” and do it again. The Bible says once was
enough!
Do as Jesus said
and accept the “Born Again” experience!
Jesus is saying to
you today, “DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO!”
Be Blessed … John and Barbara Hamel
How
to Be Born Again (Receive Christ as Your Savior)
How
to Receive The Holy Spirit & Power
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