Because of the present day ministry of Jesus Christ (Apostle and High Priest – Heb. 3:1) we enjoy the favor of God. His role as the High Priest was to minister a gift and sacrifice to God for the sins of humanity; His service and conduct determined our acceptance before God – Eph. 1:6. The favor we receive from God is not based on our good works, it is based on what Jesus did for us.Hebrews 10:8-14 NLT says, “8 First, Christ said, “You did not want animal sacrifices or sin offerings or burnt offerings or other offerings for sin, nor were you pleased with them” (THOUGH THEY ARE REQUIRED BY THE LAW OF MOSES). 9 Then he said, “Look, I have come to do your will.” HE CANCELS THE FIRST COVENANT IN ORDER TO PUT THE SECOND INTO EFFECT. 10 For God’s will was for us to be MADE HOLY BY THE SACRIFICE OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST, ONCE FOR ALL TIME. 11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, GOOD FOR ALL TIME. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering HE FOREVER MADE PERFECT THOSE WHO ARE BEING MADE HOLY.”

It is for this reason that God can deal with us as if we have no sin, JESUS HAS FOREVER MADE US PERFECT BEFORE GOD. God has perfected us and He is in the process of MAKING US HOLY. God doesn’t deal with us according to our sins but according to His mercy and grace – Psalm 103:10. Remember that God doesn’t grade sin; all sins are equal before Him – James 2:10, Gal. 3:10, and James 4:17. If God dealt with us according to our sins none of us would be alive today.

While God is working on making us holy He considers that all our sins were paid for by Jesus Christ – Heb. 10:10&14. He treats us like we haven’t sinned. For this reason the Bible tells us to approach God with boldness even though our conscience may be shouting ‘guilty’ – Heb. 10:19&22. God doesn’t ask us to make ourselves holy, like He did in the old covenant; He says we should allow Him to make us holy by yielding to the work of the Holy Spirit – Rom. 6:16, 2 Cor. 3:18, and Rom 12:2.

So, you don’t have to change yourself before deciding to follow God, come as you are, HE WILL CHANGE YOU. Accept that Jesus Christ paid the price for your sins such that God is willing to release you from them if you accept the payment that was made on your behalf. After accepting the GIFT of being made right with God (Rom. 3:21-24) simply YIELD yourself to Him by exposing yourself to His Word which is able to change you effortlessly – John 6:63 & Gal. 5:16.

If you accept that Jesus Christ died for your sins but not spend time BEING TAUGHT HOW TO ALLOW THE WORD TO CHANGE YOU, you will remain the same as before you accepted Him as your Savior.

After accepting Christ, become part of a church that preaches salvation by faith in what Jesus Christ did for you not salvation by your good works. Our salvation is not by Christ PLUS our good works. That is the truth you need to understand – Gal. 3:2-5.

Apostle Paul said to the Galatian church, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the GRACE OF CHRIST, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” Gal. 1:6-9.

(To be continued…)