A TRANSFORMED LIFE

Dr. Joseph Hazan

“ Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or

Defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these

Last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

(I. Peter 1.17-21)

It is evident that Jesus Christ is “ the Word who in the beginning was with God, was God and all things were made by him” and for him. (John 1.3).He was from everlasting and is Eternal. (Micah 5.2):

“But you Bethlehem Ephrata, though you be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

He was and is and is to come. He is called “ Mighty God, everlasting Father”(Is. 9.6).

He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. (John 1.29).

As Abraham went up to sacrifice his son Isaac, they took no lamb. So, “ Isaac spoke to his father and said, my father: and he said, Here I am, my son. And he said, behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?

And Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together” (Gen. 22.7&8).

Here we see that God would provide. The word provide has two parts. “Pro” means before and”vide”means to see (foresee). Provision is making sure some preparation is made to cover a need.

We notice in Abraham’s answer to his son, he said, “God will provide “himself” a lamb.”

He could have said:” God will provide a lamb”. But he showed in advance what God would later do for all mankind by offering His only begotten Son.

THE HIGHEST PRICE

With the ultimate sacrifice God made in offering Jesus Christ he redeemed us to himself.

He paid our sin debt in full so we can be reconciled to him. Now we understand how much he valued us while we were yet sinners. Much more now that we are saved with him he shall give us all things freely:

“ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Rom.8.31&32).

Now we know how precious we are in God’s sight. Not because of anything we have done to deserve this grace. Grace is simply unearned favor. This is so, in order to fulfill

God’s desire from the beginning: to bring many children into glory and share eternity.

CHOSEN INDEED

We see in I. Peter:

“To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus the Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (I. Peter 1.1&2).

Again we see:

” And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he foreknew, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. (Rom.8.28-30).

WHAT TO DO NOW

With such a marvelous calling and destiny we simply, humbly submit ourselves to the Father’s hands. As the mother of our Lord said, we also say:” Be it to me according to your word.” (Luke 1.38).

The depth of God’s word is revealed gradually and the more we appreciate his amazing, surprising and surpassing grace the more we love him and serve him and his children through the Holy Spirit he has given us by which we call him “Abba, Father.”(Rom. 8.15).

We become a new creation through the renewing of our minds. We no longer live empty lives seeking temporary pleasure, but we become more and more like Jesus who now lives in us.

We see in I. Pet.2. 1-3:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

Our lives are his. Everything is by him through him and for him; to whom belong endless praises throughout countless ages forever and ever. AMEN!

Please come and worship with us. You can find the location and time through this website.

The grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and yours always. AMEN!