Anyone who refuses to accept the sacrifice made on the cross continues to stand under the very wrath of God because they are rejecting the available remission of sin made possible through Jesus Christ!
John 3:34 "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 "The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
This is also what the Holy Spirit refers to when He offers a very sober warning to those Jewish believers tempted to turn back in the letter to the Hebrews:
Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Notice the crime is trampling under foot the blood of the New Covenant and insulting the Spirit of grace.
The disciples were all he time asking Jesus what sin someone committed to be sick or diseased or blind. The idea was that they were being made to pay for someone’s sin. But Jesus refused to accept that line of reasoning.
But, when we come to the Corinthians we see a situation where many are sick and dying. Why? They treated the communion observance with contempt. They came with a selfish attitude to the table and acted like it was no big deal. Without regard for others they engorged themselves eating up the food and in so doing were treating the moment with contempt.
Understanding and appreciating this New Covenant, standing firmly upon the payment made once and for all for our sin is not negotiable!
Only the blood of Jesus Christ can pay for sin once and for all! That is why His New Covenant completely replaces the Old one, with better promises and New commands!
What are you putting your confidence in when faced with the most important questions in life?
How will you escape the judgment of God who is absolutely Holy?
How will that escape be maintained throughout this life?
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
