Christianity Cures Guilt

In all religions, people attempt to rid themselves of guilt through rituals of some sort. We even see in the Old Testament how God authorized many different kinds offerings to atone for the guilt of the people.

But what use were these sacrifices? Hebrews 10:4 (BBE) argues against salvation through sacrifices, "Because it is not possible for the blood of oxen and goats to take away sins."

But in the very next verse, the writer of Hebrews explains how Christ was the only sacrifice that could pay for sin. "So that when he comes into the world, he says, 'You had no desire for offerings, but you made a body ready for me;'"

As I've written before, Christ was that "lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world. All those verses in the Old Testament about sacrificing a pure and unblemished male lamb were metaphorical images of the ultimate lamb who died on the cross for us.

Then the writer of Hebrews said in verse six, "And without faith it is not possible to be well-pleasing to him, for it is necessary for anyone who comes to God to have the belief that God is, and that he is a rewarder of all those who make a serious search for him."

The Apostle Paul also wrote about how Christ paid our debt and ended the sacrificial system. As Colossians 2:16 and 17 (BBE) says, "For this reason let no man be your judge in any question of food or drink or feast days or new moons or Sabbaths: For these are an image of the things which are to come; but the body is Christ's."

We know that God no longer holds us accountable for past sins. Psalms 103:12 (BBE) assures us that, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our sins from us."

But some will ask how the Old Testament believers were saved. Hebrews 11:10 (BBE) gives us the answer. "For he (Abraham) was looking for the strong town, whose builder and maker is God." A few verses earlier, his faith was accounted as righteousness by God.

What a joy it is that the sins in our past are forgiven and covered by Christ's sacrifice. I'll mention that in my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? So many people try all sorts of things to salve their consciences but without success. Only Jesus' blood clears us from our misdeeds.

On Thursday, I'll deal with the question of what makes humanityspecial. Atheists would have us believe that we're just another species, eking out a living on this planet. That is so wrong and I'll show why it is.

Saturday Song: Talking Heads, "Cities"

How many of you folks live, or have lived, in cities? Each has its good points and its bad points. Even so, many folks have to live in cities because that's where the work is. Cities also have many amenities which rural towns lack.

Check out this song about cities here.

Though I live in the country, I do look forward to living in a certain city. As we learn from Hebrews 11:10 (KJV), Abraham yearned for this special dwelling place. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

But long before the heavenly city comes down, Israelites held onto the hope of being in Jerusalem. Psalms 46:4 (KJV) exalts, "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High."

Likewise, Psalms 87:3 (KJV) sings, "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah."

And as Revelation 3:12 (KJV) assurs us believers, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

Someday, we all will see God's city  come down from heaven. Revelation 21:2 KJV)  "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

Are you yearning for that wonderful event too? Please feel free to write me about your hope.

On Monday, I'll post about the dualism error. Some folks actually think that God and Satan are two sides of the same coin, metaphorically speaking.