Welcome to Hank’s Place —
Jesus first ‘official’ ministry was in His home town. It’s found in Luke 4:18-19, where Jesus reads from Isaiah 61:1-2. The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me — to give good news to the poor — release to captives — recovery of sight to the blind — setting free the oppressed — and to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
Then He added, “TODAY this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Declaring HE was the ‘favorable year of the Lord’ that Jubilee year. In Jesus EVERY year is our Jubilee Year my friend. Our debts are canceled in Jesus. Our burdens lifted in Jesus. Life worth really living is restored! Hopes and dreams come alive again. All in Jesus – believe it. Receive it.
His hometown didn’t believe it, and when He told them how hard of hearing they were – they were filled with rage and ready to kill Him. There’s a message there.
But I want to point out Isaiah 61:3 where the prophet declares those who benefit from all this will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting OF THE LORD, that HE may be glorified. Oaks. Mighty oaks. Standing firm in any storm. Steadfast. Immovable. Oaks of Righteousness. Picture yourself as one of those dear friend, because that is who you really are!
Romans 3:9 declares no one is righteous on their own. However good our best efforts may be, they are never good enough. We all need a Savior. Thank God for JESUS. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says of Him, “He (the Father) made Him who knew no sin (Jesus), to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become (in other words the transformation is effected) the righteousness of God in Him.” Jesus became our sin offering, and the One who has carried our sin away. Now we are eternally the righteousness of God.
Perfectly perfect. Acceptable to God. Approved before God. Always at the receiving end of blessings. Favor. Mercy. Lovingkindness. Grace. And more. When this truth becomes TRUTH in our inner being and mind, our lives will change – significantly.
Many Christians, even pastors and missionaries, have yet to understand this. Why? Because they are mixing the 2 covenants together. Law and Grace. Maybe you are too. Likely you are. If you think God is kinda disapproving of you, kind of tolerating you, then you are.
Maybe you rejoice that God will bless you. But only if you do all the right things. That He will prosper you financially, but only if you tithe. That you will stay healthy. But only if you keep making those positive confessions. Rebuking sickness. And on and on. Grace and Law, Law and Grace. Depressing and making it difficult to receive all your Father has to give you.
God has sworn by Himself (Hebrews 6:13-14) to bless those who believe in Him. Today: reject the performance approach. Believe. Receive. Standing firm in Him. We have HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS as we stand before the Father. Consider these things — and COME ALIVE!
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Thanks Hank!
Great message to live in grace which is not to be blended with the law….we are free from the law of sin and death I needed this. DCU