Foreword:

Ever wonder what God might have to say to YOU today? Here are things to ponder, and things to receive into your heart. If you have a question, put it in the comments. I respond as much as I can.

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Friday, October 27, 2023

Most Blessed of All / The greatest curse:: Revelation 22:14

 

Most Blessed of All / The greatest curse:: Revelation 22:14

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. New versions (NASB, NIV, ESV) have a different rendering. It goes, “Blessed are they who wash their robes…” If you consider this with some understanding, the two renderings resolve into the same thing, because John also writes: “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Believing in the Son washes us clean and makes us into a new creation: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.” When you believe in the Lord Jesus, HE makes you clean, and you become different. As someone once put it, “you’re clean inside;” God heals the awful disease of sin and brings you into His forever family, just as Jesus did the leper in the Gospel of Luke: And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Jesus responded: And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. This is how it is. You may be the most disgusting person on the planet—but HE can make you clean. HE can heal you. HE can “wash your robes.” HE can make you into a new man or woman, and if you ask Him, He WILL.

There’s a counterpoint to this wonderful promise, however, and it’s found in the next verse: “outside [of the holy city] are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. Great mercy for you when you turn to the Lord and follow Him—Terrible judgment when you reject Him and pretend you are “just fine” in your sins and wickedness. Note the last phrase: “Whoever loves and practices a lie.” Lying is the way of the world, whether you’re purchasing a used car, voting for a politician, dating a potential partner, whatever. God hates it. He Himself cannot lie (!!!) However, God LOVES honesty. Honesty is one of the truest hallmarks of a genuine conversion, and of you becoming a new man or woman in Jesus Christ. If you want to enter the Golden City, the New Jerusalem, heaven, the place where all tears will be wiped away, turn to the Lord and make every effort to avoid the things listed above, but especially lying. Lying pollutes your whole life. Be truthful in every way.

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