God’s Redeemed People The Doctrine of the Church

I've been thinking about Easter and the coming of the Holy Spirit that happened at Pentecost 50 days later. In 2033 it will be 2000 years since this occurred, 7 perfect years from now. It's amazing to think about how the world has changed from then till now. At the Cross where Jesus "laid down his life, only to take it up again (John 10:17-18)." He fundamentally changed our world. He redeemed the sinner, paid the ransom of death that sinful man deserved. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and gave us a grace period where the clarion call of God would go out into all the world proclaiming the good news. "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish - but have eternal life. The son did not come to condemn the world but to save the world through him..." John 3:16-17.

The world we live in is messy, for 2000 years we still have so much evil, death and destruction. Yet we all track time according to the birth of Jesus Christ. I love memorizing beyond "John 3:16 to include John 3:18-21 that explains "why the good news of God's son didn't automatically make everything awesome for everyone.

“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

• Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" 

The cross of Christ broke down hostility between people. He taught us to love our enemies and then demonstrated this for us. "He said forgive them father for they know not what they do" and said "it is finished" before giving up his Soul. Hebrews 11-12 explains this  act of unwavering faith and it's impact on our lives today. "Romans road" show cases this reality of coming to the throne of God, in the resurrection power of Jesus and allow him to wash away our sins and give us new day.

• Romans 5:8: "God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" 
• Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" 
• Romans 10:13: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" 

Dying to Self to Live for God, The Doctrine of the Cross for a Believer 

To be found in the book of life, walk with God in righteousness (Rev20:14-15)

Prayer, help me to share your word with my friends today and live in HOPE (Help One Person Everyday) I have in You, amen.

So what is the church?

• God chose Israel to bless the world, yet their failures and exile could not derail His plan; He faithfully restored them and fulfilled His purposes through them. My friend Steve S said, Israel is the strongest reason to believe the Bible is true, I say it's 4/24/2026 AD "in the year of our Lord" everywhere on Earth. 
• The rebuilt temple pointed forward to Christ, in whom believers become the living temple, a spiritual house where God dwells by His Spirit. Love your enemies becomes a living reality, a testimony of our lives that is felt 30, 60, 90 more than what was sown in our hearts. 
• Christ's Church is a diverse, unified body of redeemed people from every nation, built on Christ as cornerstone and the foundation of the apostles and prophets. I've worshiped in Myanmar with redeemed people who physically shined with the Holy Spirit of God.
• Membership in Christ's Church is internal, not external; only those born again by the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ truly belong to Him, and God knows each one.

• God invites all people to join His redeemed community through faith in Christ, offering eternal blessing, present strength, and a future glory that surpasses everything this world offers.

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" - it's as simple as asking God for help, and help is very near: The Pilgrim's Progress (2019) | Full Movie