Open Heaven 19 August
MEMORISE: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” – (Ephesians 1:3)
BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (KJV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
When sin came into the lives of Adam and Eve, they forfeited their cordial relationship with the Lord God Almighty. They were separated from the blissful presence of their Creator. It was a great loss. The interesting thing that many may not believe is that God wants man to come back into fellowship with Him. However, Gods holiness prevents Him from beholding iniquity, as we see in Isaiah 59:1-2
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
To bring about this reconciliation therefore, God had to make the sacrifice of giving His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, for the sins of the world (John 3:16 ). 2 Corinthians 5:19 says further:
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Before Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, He said:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28”
In John 7:37, He calls: “…If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”
Our memory verse says Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9 ). To make peace with God therefore, one must acknowledge his sins as well as confess and forsake them, with a promise not to go back to the life of disobedience. A new life is expected of anyone who has accepted the peace that living in Jesus Christ brings. The Bible speaks of the publican in Luke 18:13 thus:
“And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Making peace with God also requires breaking away from past misdeeds and making right our wrongdoings like in the case of Zacchaeus:
“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” “Luke 19:8”
This is proof of genuine repentance and reconciliation.
ACTION POINT: Jesus Christ, The Prince of Peace, please remove any barrier between me and my Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, permanently reconcile me to God the Father.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 117:1-2 , Psalms 118:1-29
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – Jesus The Peacemaker – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 20 August 2021
