secure in the shepherd's hand

8/7/2019 secure in the shepherd's hand

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Secure In

The Shepherds

Hand


2/41

written and compiled by Amy Chappell


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"I write this

to you who believe in

(trust in, rely on)

the name of [Jesus],

so that you may know

with settled and absolute knowledge

that you have eternal life.

(1 John 5:13)


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Index

The Shepherds Heart..4The Shepherds Work..5The Sheeps Righteousness..11

The Sheeps Reconciliation...16The Sheeps Dependence..17The Shepherds Stamp.19The Sheeps Advocate20The Sheeps Sanctification.21The Sheeps Authenticity.22The Sheeps Security..24The Final Word...26


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The Shepherds Heart(What is Gods heart in the matter?)

God does not want anyone to perish or be lost(2 Peter 3:9)

He doesnt take any pleasure in the death of anyone(Ez. 18:23,32)

He has not appointed us to incur His wrath(1 Thessalonians 5:8)

but that we might obtain salvation(1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

It is His will that we be given eternal life(John 6:37-40)

It is His will that we be raised up on the last day(John 6:37-40)

He is pleased to save those who trust in and rely Him(1 Cor. 1:21)

He is delighted when we turn from our ways and live(Ez. 18:23)

He will never reject anyone who comes to Him(John 6:37)

He wants us to live(Ezekiel 18:23, John 3:16)

Father, I wantthose you have given me

to be with me where I am,

and to see my glory.

(Jesus, John 17:24a)

What man of you,if he has a hundred sheep

and should lose one of them,

does not leave the ninety-nine

in the wilderness and go after

the one that is lost

until he finds it?

And when he has found it,

he lays it on his own shoulders,

rejoicing. (Luke 15:3-5)

ForGod so loved the world(John 3:16a)

Greater lovehas no one than this,

that he lay down his life

for his friends.(John 15:13)

The thief comes onlyto steal, kill and destroy;

I have come

that they might have life,

and have it in abundance.

(John 10:10a)

I am the Good Shepherd.The Good Shepherd

lays down His own life

for the sheep.

I am giving My very own life

and laying it down

on behalf of the sheep.

(John 10:11, 15)

[He] loved meand gave himself for me.

(Galatians 2:20)

He did this that He mightclearly demonstrate

through the ages to come

the immeasurable

(limitless, surpassing) riches

of His free grace (unmerited favor)

in His kindness and goodness of heart

toward us in Christ Jesus.

(Ephesians 2:7)

Let us be soberand put onfor a helmet

the hope of salvation.

For God has not appointed us

to incur His wrath,

but that we might obtain His salvation

The truth is


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through [Jesus] who died for us

so thatwe might live together with

Him

and share His life.(1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)


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The Shepherds Work(What did God do about it?)

Because of His intense and overflowing love, pity, mercy, kindness,goodness and grace

Jesus came so that we could have life(John 10:9a, 10b)

He saved us(Jeremiah 17:14b, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Philippians 1:28)

He delivered us(2 Timothy 4:18, Philippians 1:28)

He purchased us(1 Peter 1:18-19a)

He made us His own(Philippians 3:12, 2 Timothy 2:19)

He made us free(John 8:36b)

He set us free from sin(Ro. 6:18,22,8:2,22; Jhm. 8:36, Heb. 9:15, Rev. 1:5)

He absorbed the wrath of God(Gal. 3:13, Romans 3:25, 1 John 4:10)

He took away our condemnation(Romans 8:34)

He justified us(Romans 8:33-34)

He cancelled the legal demands of the law against us(Col. 2:13)

He reconciled us to God(Colossians 1:22, 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 5:1)

He brought us to God(1 Peter 3:18, Ephesians 2:13, Psalm 16:11)

He died for us so that we could live together with Him

(1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)

He made us alive when we were dead in sin(Ephesians 2:1, 5, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

He gave us his life(Ephesians 2:5, 5:39; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:15)

He made us a conqueror over death(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

He made us reign in life(Romans 5:17)

He made us endure forever(Psalm 89:23a)

He gave us the victory(1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

He vanquished death forever(1 Corinthians 15:55)

He rescued us from final judgment(Hebrews 9:28)

He disarmed the rulers and authorities(Colossians 2:14-15, 1 John 3:8)

He secured our resurrection from the dead(Romans 6:5, 8:11, 2 Tim. 2:11)

He freed us from the bondage of the fear of death(Hebrews 2:14-15)

He recreated and regenerated us(Eph. 2:10a, 2 Cor. 5:17, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23-24, Gal. 6:15, John 3:3-8)

He made us new creatures(Eph. 2:10a, 2 Cor. 5:17, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23-24, Gal. 6:15, John 3:3-8)

He gave us His own righteousness(1 Corinthians 1:30b; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 45:24a, 25, 32:17, 61:10;Colossians 1:22; Psalm 89:6, 149:4-5, Romans 1:17, 3:20-23, 4:5, 11, 24, 9:30b-32,10:3, 10:4, Jeremiah 23:6)

He made us pure and faultless and holy before Him(1 Corinthians 1:30b; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah45:24a, 25, 32:17, 61:10; Colossians 1:22; Psalm 89:6, 149:4-5, Romans 1:17, 3:20-23, 4:5, 11, 24, 9:30b-32,10:3, 10:4, Jeremiah 23:6)

He gave us a new heart--a heart that can know and love Him(Deuteronomy 30:6, 1 Samuel 10:9,Jeremiah 24:7, 2 Cor. 4:6, 1 Kings 8:58, Ezekiel 11:19, Psalm 51:10a, Jeremiah 32:38-40, Acts 11:21, 16:14, Romans 2:4b, 2:29, 1 Cor.

2:16)

He gave us a clear conscience(Hebrews 9:14)

We have been reborn(Ephesians 2:10a, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 1:23-24, Galatians 6:15, John 3:3-8)

We are Gods own handiwork(Ephesians 2:10a)

God is our salvation(Isaiah 12:2-3, Psalm 18:2, 25:5, 2 Sam. 22:47, Psalm 95:1, Rev. 7:10b, 19:1, 2 Sam. 22:15a)

Life is in Him

(John 1:4a, 1 Corinthians 1:30a, Psalm 36:9)

He said Yes" in Christ(2 Corinthians 1:18-19)

All Gods promises find their answer in Jesus(2 Corinthians 1:18-19)

Eternal life is gift--an irrevocable gift; He will never withdraw it(John 10:28a, 17:2b, Acts 8:20b,Ro. 5:17, .5:23, Eph. 2:8, 1 Cor. 1:30a, 1 Cor. 15:10, 2 Cor. 9:15, Revelations 22:17, Titus 3:5, 1Peter 1:21, 1 Timothy 1:14-16, 1 John 4:9-

10, Ephesians 2, Romans 11:29)

He does not change His mind about us(Romans 11:29)

He took possession of us and acknowledged us as His by putting His seal upon usand giving us His Holy Spirit as the security deposit and guarantee of the

"My memory is nearly gone,

but I remember two things:That I am a great sinner

and that Christ is a great Savior!"~John Newton, in his last years


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fulfillment of His promise(2 Corinthians 1:18-22, 5:5, 17; Eph. 1:11-14, 4:30; John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1 John 3:24, 4:13-15; 1 Cor. 2: 12, 12:13; Galatians 4:29)

At the moment God chose us and justified us, it was as if we were already glorifiedin His presence in heaven(Romans 8:33-34)

He will never leave us or abandon us(Psalm 17:15, Matt. 28:20b, Joshua 1:5, John 14:17b, Psalm 23:4, Deu. 31:6,8)

He is holding us tight(John 10:28-29, Isaiah 40:10-11)

He will never let us go(John 10:28-29, Hebrews 13:5)

He is keeping us

(Jude 1:1, 24; Luke 15:3-5)

He will present us blameless, faultless and unblemished before His presence intriumphant joy(Jude 1:24)

It is finished (paid in full). ~Jesus


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What God's justice demanded, His love provided. The wisdom of God has

ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God withoutcompromising the justice of God: The death of the Son of God for sinners!

The best news in all the world (the gospel) is that God has decreed a way ofsalvation that also upholds the worth of His glory, the honor of His Son, and

the eternal salvation of His elect. He has given His Son to die for sinners andto conquer their death by His own resurrection. ~ John Piper

This Jesusyou crucified [But] God raised Him up, liberating Him from thepangs of death, seeing that it was not possible for Him to continue to becontrolled or retained by it. For David says in regard to Him, I saw the Lordconstantly before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken oroverthrown or cast down [from my secure and happy state]. Therefore myheart rejoiced and my tongue exulted exceedingly; moreover, my flesh alsowill dwell in hope [will encamp, pitch its tent, and dwell in hope in anticipationof the resurrection]. For You will not abandon my soul, leaving it helpless inHades (the state of departed spirits), nor let Your Holy One know decay or seedestruction [of the body after death]. You have made known to me the waysof life; You will fill me with joy in your presence. ~Acts 2:23-28

Is there wrath and curse hanging over us?1

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse forusfor it is written, Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.

(Gal. 3:13)

Is there condemnation against us in the courtroom of heaven?2

Who shall bring any charge against Gods elect? It is God who justifies.Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died. (Rom. 8:33-34)

Are there innumerable trespasses mounting up against us?3

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgivenessof our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. (Eph. 1:7)

Is righteousness required that we cannot produce?4

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in himwe might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21). By the onemans obedience the many will be made righteous. (Rom. 5:19)

Are we cut off from eternal life?5

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, thatwhoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.(John 3:16)

Are we trapped in the dominion of sin that ruins our lives?6

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to


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sin and live to righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24). He died for all, that those

who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for theirsake died and was raised. (2 Cor. 5:15)

Will all the follies and failures of our past drag us down with irrevocable,

destructive consequences?7

We know that for those who love God all things work together for

good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28)

Have we lost all the good things God planned for his children?8

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, howwill he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Rom. 8:32)

Is there any hope that sinners like us could spend an all-satisfyingeternity with God? Can I ever come home to God?9

Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous,that he might bring us to God. (1 Pet. 3:18)

Here in the cross is where every enemy of joy is overcome: divinewrath, as [God] becomes a curse for us; real guilt, as he becomes forgivenessfor us; lawbreaking, as he becomes righteousness for us; estrangement fromGod, as he becomes reconciliation for us; slavery to Satan, as he becomes

redemption for us; bondage to sin, as he becomes liberation for us; pangs ofconscience, as he becomes cleansing for us; death, as he becomes the

resurrection for us; hell, as he becomes eternal life for us.Through the cross God purchased and secured every possible

blessing that could ever be needed to make us happy forever. He who did notspare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him

graciously give us all things? Everything we need to be satisfied in God, the

cross has made certain. It cannot fail. ~1-9John Piper

In the words of the apostle Paul

Those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom Hecalled, He also justified. And those whom He justified, He also glorified. Whatthen shall we say to all this?

If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can be our foe, if God ison our side? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect when it is Godwho justifies and puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forwardand accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen?

Will God, who acquits us? Who is there to condemn us? Will Christ

Jesus, who died, or rather who was raised from the dead, who is at the righthand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering andaffliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hungeror destitution or peril or sword? Amid all these things we are more than

conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us. For I ampersuaded beyond doubt that [nothing] in all creation will be able to separate

us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


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Although I am an unworthyand condemned man,

my God has given me in Christall the riches

of righteousness and salvationwithout any merit on my part,

out of pure, free mercy,so that from now on

I need nothing except faithwhich believes that this is true.

(Martin Luther)

The Father has deliveredand drawn us to Himself

out of the control and dominion ofdarkness

and has transferred usinto the kingdom [of Christ]

in whom we have our redemptionthrough His blood, which means

the forgiveness of our sins.(Colossians 1:13-14)

He is the propitiation(atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

(1 John 2:1-2)

By sending his own Sonin the likeness of sinful flesh and for

sin,he condemned sin in the flesh.

(Romans 8:3)

He personally bore our sinsin His own body on the tree.

(1 Peter 2:24a)

He was woundedfor our transgressions,He was bruised

for our guilt and iniquities;the chastisement needful to obtain

peace and well-being for uswas upon Him,

and with the stripes that wounded

Himwe are healed and made whole.

(Isaiah 53:5b)

This is My bloodwhich is being poured out for many

for the forgiveness of sins.(Matthew 26:28b)

The Son of Man cameto give his life

as a ransom for many.(Matthew 20:28)

[He] died for usso that whether we are awake or

asleepwe might live with him.(1 Thesallonians 5:10)

You must know (recognize)that you were redeemed

You were purchased

with the precious blood of Christ.(1 Peter 1:18-19a)

Jesus Christ.ever loves usand has once for all time

loosed and freed usfrom our sins

by His own blood.(Revelation 1:5a)

We have now been justifiedby his blood.

(Romans 5:9)

Since, therefore,we have now been justified by his

blood,how much more certain is it

that shall we be saved by himfrom the indignation and wrath of


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God?

(Romans 5:9)

For if while we were enemieswe were reconciled to Godby the death of his Son,it is much more certain,

now that we are reconciled,that shall be saved through his life.

(Romans 5:1 0)

God is faithful (reliable,trustworthy,

and therefore ever true to Hispromise,

and He can be depended on); by Himyou were called into companionship

and participation with His Son.

(1 Corinthians 1:9)

If we have been united with himin a death like his,

we will certainly be united with himin a resurrection like his.

(Romans 6:5)

I died, and beholdI am alive forevermore,

And I have the keysof Death and Hades.(Revelation 1:18).

I am the resurrection and the life.Whoever believes in me,

though he die, yet shall he live.(John 11:25)

If we have died with him,we will also live with him.

(2 Timothy 2:11)

Since we believethat Jesus died and rose again,

even so, through Jesus,

God will bring with himthose who have fallen asleep.

(1 Thessalonians 4:14)

God raised the Lordand will also raise us up

by his power.(1 Corinthians 6:14)

If the Spirit of himwho raised Jesus from the dead

dwells in you,he who raised Christ from the dead

will also give life to your mortal bodiesthrough his Spirit who dwells in you.

(Romans 8:11)

If we have died with Christ,we believe that we shall also live with

Him,because we know that Christ,

being once raised from the dead,will never die again;

death no longer has power over Him.You have been raised from the dead

to perpetual life.(Romans 6:8b-9, 13a)

By going through deathHe ma[d]e of no effect

him who had the power of death--that is, the devilAndHedeliver[ed]

and completely set freeall those who through

the haunting fear of deathwere held in bondage

throughout the whole courseof their lives.

(Hebrews 2:14a-15)

For he chose us in himbefore the creation of the world

to be holy and blameless in his sight.In love he predestined usto be adopted as his sons

through Jesus Christ,in accordance with his pleasure and

will to the praise of his glorious grace,

which he has freely given us


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that Christ is our Savior...

then we have a God of love,

and to see God in faithis to look upon His friendly heart.

So when the devil throws

your sins in your face

and declares that you deservedeath and hell,

tell him this...

I admit that I deservedeath and hell. What of it?

For I know One who sufferedand made satisfaction in my behalf.

His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God.

Where He is, there I shall be also.(Martin Luther)


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Our righteousness is in Him,and our hope depends,

not upon the exercise of grace in us,but upon the fullness of grace and love

in Him, and upon His obedience unto death.~John Newton

The Sheeps Righteousness

And this is His nameby which He shall be called:

The Lord Our Righteousness.(Jeremiah 23:6)

In the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed. Therighteousness which comes by believing with personal trust and confidentreliance on Jesus Christ. And it is meant for all who believe. (Romans 1:17a,3:23a) Gentiles who did not follow after righteousness have attained it by faith[a righteousness imputed by God, based on and produced by faith]. WhereasIsrael, though ever in pursuit of a law for the securing of righteousness, actuallydid not succeed in fulfilling the Law. For what reason? Because they pursued itnot through faith, relying instead on the merit of their works [they did notdepend on faith but on what they could do]. For being ignorant of therighteousness that God ascribes and seeking to establish a righteousness of their

own, they did not obey or submit themselves to God's righteousness. (Romans9:30b-32,10:3)

God saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had

done, but because of His own pity and mercy. (Titus 3:3-7a) He personally boreour sins in His own body on the tree. By His wounds you have been healed. (1

Peter 2:24) He gave us His own righteousness and made us pure and faultlessand holy before Him. And He will present us blameless, faultless and

unblemished before Gods presence in triumphant joy. (Jude 1:24, 1 Corinthians1:30b; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 45:24a, 25, 32:17, 61:10; Colossians 1:22;Psalm 89:6, 149:4-5, Ro. 1:17, 3:20-23, 4:5, 11, 24, 9:30b-32, 10:3, 10:4,Jeremiah 23:6)

Because of [the] intense love with which He loved us, even when we were

slain by our own shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together infellowship and in union with Christ. He gave us the very life of Christ himself, thesame new life with which He quickened Him, for it is by grace (His favor andmercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgmentand made partakers of Christ's salvation). And He raised us up together with Himand made us sit down together, giving us joint seating with Him in the heavenlysphere by virtue of our being in Christ Jesus. He did this that He might clearlydemonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable, limitless andsurpassing riches of His free grace (unmerited favor) in His kindness andgoodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2)

Where sin increased and abounded, grace(God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and

increased the more and superabounded, so that,just as sin has reigned in death, so grace (Hisunearned and undeserved favor) might reign also

through righteousness which issues in eternal lifethrough Jesus Christ our Lord. (Galatians 5:20-21)

Oh, what a difference it makes to beassured, in the discouraging darkness of our own


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imperfection, that we have a perfect righteousnessnamely, Christs. The best

news in all the world is the news that God will, by faith alone, count [us] asrighteous because of Christ. This is the great ground of joy in the word of the

cross: Justification is by grace alone (not mixed with our merit), through faithalone (not mixed with our works), on the basis of Christ alone (not mingling his

righteousness with ours), to the glory of God alone (not ours).5


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But it is from Himthat you have your life

in Christ Jesus,whom God made

our Wisdom from God,[revealed to us a knowledgeof the divine plan of salvation

previously hidden, manifesting itselfas] our Righteousness,and our Consecration

[making us pure and holy],and our Redemption

[providing our ransomfrom eternal penalty for sin].

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

He appeared so that he mighttake away our sins.

(1 John 3:5a)

[Jesus] was delivered upfor our trespasses

and raisedfor our justification.

(Romans 4:25)

If we [freely] admitthat we have sinned

and confess our sins,He is faithful and just

(true to His own nature and promises)and will forgive our sins

[dismiss our lawlessness]and [continuously] cleanse us

from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9)

Come now,let us reason together:though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.(Isaiah 1:18)

You were washed clean(purified and made freefrom the guilt of sin),

and you were consecrated(set apart, hallowed),and you were justified

[pronounced righteous],by trusting in the name of [Jesus]

and in the Holy Spiritof our God.

(1 Corinthians 6:11)

He saved us...by the cleansing bath

of the new birth (regeneration)and renewing

of the Holy Spirit,which He poured out

so richly upon usthrough Jesus Christ

our Savior.(Titus 3:3-7)

I, even I, am Hewho blots out and cancels

your transgressions

and I will neverthink of them again.

(Isaiah 43:25)

They will all know MeFor I will forgive their iniquity,and I will remember their sin

no more.(Jeremiah 31:34)


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You who were deadin trespasses

and in the uncircumcisionof your flesh

(your sensuality,your sinful carnal nature),

God brought to lifetogether with Christ,

having freely forgiven usall our transgressions.

(Colossians 2:13a)

You have forgivenand taken away

the iniquity of Your people,You have covered

all their sin.(Psalm 85:2)

He does not treat usas our sins deserve

or repay us accordingto our iniquities.

As far as the east is from the west,so far has He removed

our transgressions from us.(Psalm 103:10, 12)

Blessed (happy) are thosewhose iniquities are forgiven

and whose sins are covered upand completely buried.

Blessed (happy) is hewho has forgiveness

of his transgressioncontinually exercised upon him.

(Romans 4:7, Psalm 31:1a)

For by a single offeringhe has perfected for all time

those who are being sanctified.(Hebrews 10:14)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,my soul will exult in my God;

for He has clothed me

with the garments of salvation,

He has covered me

with the robe of righteousness,as a bridegroom

decks himself with a garland,and as a bride

adorns herself with her jewels.(Isaiah 61:10)

All beautiful you are, my darling;there is no flaw in you.

(Song Of Songs 4:7)

For the Lordtakes pleasure in His people;He will beautify the humble

with salvationand adorn the wretched

with victory.Let the saints be joyfulin the glory and beauty

which God confers upon them;

let them sing for joyupon their beds.

(Psalm 149:4-5)

Where sin increased and abounded,grace (God's unmerited favor)

has surpassed itand increased the more

and superabounded,so that, just as sin

has reigned in death,so grace (His unearnedand undeserved favor)

might reign also

through righteousnesswhich issues in eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.(Galatians 5:20-21)

In Your name they rejoiceall day long,

and in Your righteousnessthey are exalted.(Psalm 89:16)


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I have been crucified with Christ[shared His crucifixion];

it is no longer I who live,but Christ lives in me;

and the life I now live in the bodyI live by faith in (reliance on

and complete trust in)the Son of God,

who loved meand gave Himself up for me.

(Galatians 2:20)

[He] is ableto present youunblemished (blameless, faultless)before the presence of His gloryin triumphant joy and exultation

[with unspeakable, ecstatic delight].(Jude 1:24)

To Him who ever loves usand has once for all

freed us from our sinsby His own blood,

and formed us intoa kingdom (a royal race),

priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory

and the power and the majestyand the dominion

throughout the agesand forever and ever.

Amen (so be it).

But now since you have beenset free from sin

and have become the slaves of God,the benefit you reap

leads to sanctificationand its end is eternal life.

(Romans 6:22)

Life is in the way of righteousness,and in its pathway there is no deathbut immortality (perpetual, eternal

life).(Proverbs 12:28)

The righteous [will go away]into eternal life.

(Matthew 25:46).

The effect of righteousnesswill be peace,

and the result of righteousnesswill be quietness

and confident trustforever.

(Isaiah 32:17b)

Put on God's complete armor,that you may be able

successfullyto stand up against

all the strategiesand the deceits of the devil.

Put on the breastplateof righteousness.

(Ephesians 6:11,14)


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Then Sings My Soul

John Bunyan

John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrims Progress, which

has sold more copies than any book besides the Bible.Bunyan was a pastor in the seventeenth century who

spent over twelve years in prison because he refused tostop preaching the word of the cross. But Bunyan was

not always so bold and full of gospel power. In histwenties there were terrible struggles:1

A whole flood of blasphemies, both againstGod, Christ, and the Scriptures were poured upon my

spirit, to my great confusion and astonishment Myheart was at times exceeding hard. If I would have

given a thousand pounds for a tear, I could not shedone Oh, the desperateness of mans heart. I feared

that this wicked sin of mine might be that sinunpardonable. Oh, no one knows the terrors of those days but myself.

Then came the decisive moment of triumph over despair and joylessness. It

was an awakening to the magnificent truth of the imputation of Christsrighteousness.2

One day as I was passing into the field . . . this sentence fell upon my soul.

Thy righteousness is in heaven. AndI saw with the eyes of my soul Jesus Christ atGods right hand; there, I say, was my righteousness; so that wherever I was, or

whatever I was doing, God could not say of me, he [lacks] my righteousness, for thatwas just before him. I also saw, moreover, that it was not my good frame of heart that

made my righteousness better, nor yet my bad frame that made my righteousness

worse, for my righteousness was Jesus Christ himself, The same yesterday, today, andforever. Hebrews 13:8. Now did my chains fall off my legs indeed. I was loosed from

my afflictions and irons; my temptations also fled away; so that from that time those

dreadful scriptures of God [about the unforgivable sin] left off to trouble me; now went

I also home rejoicing for the grace and love of God.

Martin Luther

Martin Luther made the same discovery ina monastery. As the light dawned, he said3 I

began to understand [that] the righteousness ofGod is that by which the righteous lives by a gift

of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning:the righteousness of God is revealed by the

gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with

which [the] merciful God justifies us byfaith.Here I felt that I was altogether born againand had entered paradise itself through open

gates.

Billy Graham


22/41

God is absolutely holy and pure, and even one sinjust oneis enough to banish us

from His presence. The Bible says of God, Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; youcannot tolerate wrong (Habakkuk 1:13). Heaven requires absolute perfectionand

none of us can measure up to that standard. The only way we can go to heaven,therefore, is to be cleansed of our sinstotally and absolutely. And that is what God

offers to do for us through Jesus Christ. When He died on the cross all our sins weretransferred to Him. He took the judgment and hell we deserve. And when we trust Him

as our Lord and Savior, He forgives us and cleanses us from every sin [and] His

righteousness is transferred to us. But you were washed, you were sanctified, youwere justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). Yes, we canknow we are going to heavennot because of our own

1-3 John Piper, empasis mine

dness, but because of Christ.


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The Sheeps Reconciliation

1. Christ died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous, that He

might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18)

2. God purposed that through [Christ] all things should be completelyreconciled back to Himself by making peace through His blood, shed on the

cross. (Col. 1:22b)

3. At one time you were estranged and alienated from Him and were ofhostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities. But now [Christ] hasreconciled you to God in the body of His flesh through death, in order topresent you holy and faultless and irreproachable in the Father's presence.(Colossians 1:22b)

4. At one time...you wereseparated (living apart) from Christ... You had nohope (no promise); you were in the world without God. But now in ChristJesus, you who once were so far away, by the blood of Christ have beenbrought near. ...It is through Him that we...now have an introduction

(access)...to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him] (Ephesians2:11-18). We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood ofJesus (Hebrews 10:19). Through Him we have [our] access (entrance,introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which wefirmly and safely stand (Romans 5:2a).

5. It was God personally present in Christ, reconciling and restoring the worldto favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against men their

trespasses but canceling them (2 Corinthians 5:18-20a). There is onemediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5).

6. Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, given a

right standing with God) through faith, let us grasp the fact that we havethe peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy peace with God through[Jesus]. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing andenjoying the glory of God. (Romans 5:1, 2b)

Godreconciled us

to himselfthrough Christ.

(Romans 11:18a)

By the blood of Christ

[you] have beenbrought near.

(Ephesians 2:11b)

Iniquities and much varied guiltprevail against me;

yet as for our transgressions,you forgive and purge them away

[make atonement for themand cover them out of your sight]!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied)is the man whom You choose

and cause to come near,that he may dwell in Your courts!

We shall be satisfied

with the goodness of Your house,Your holy temple. ~Psalm 65:3-4


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The Sheeps Dependence

1. Eternal life/righteousness is a free gift from God2. not the result of our own work or striving

3. We cant earn it; we just receive it

^John 10:28a, 17:2b, Acts 8:20b, Romans 5:17, .5:23, Ephesians 2:8,

1 Corinthians 1:30a, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 9:15, Revelations

22:17, Titus 3:5, 1Peter 1:21, 1 Tim. 1:14-16, 1 John 4:9-10, Ephesians 2

God credits [a man] righteousnessapart from the works he does.

(Romans 4:6a)

For it is by free grace(unmerited favor)that you are saved

through your faith.And this salvation

is not of yourselves[of your own doing,

it came not throughyour own striving],

but it is the gift of God.(Ephesians 2:8a)

[We] are justifiedby his grace as a gift,

through the redemptionthat is in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 3:24)

[God's gift] is not a questionof human will and human effort,

but of God's mercy.(Romans 9:16a)

While we were yet inweakness

[powerless to helpourselves]

...Christ died for theungodly.

For we also were oncethoughtless and senseless,

obstinate and disobedient,

deluded and misled;we too were once slaves

to all sorts of cravings and pleasures,

wasting our daysin malice and jealousy and envy,

hateful (hated, detestable)and hating one another.

But when the goodness,

love and kindnessof God our Savior

to man as man appeared,He saved usnot because of any

works of righteousness

that we had done,but because of His own

pity and mercy.

(Titus 3:3-7a)

I am the Wayand the Truth and the Life;

no one comes to the Fatherexcept through Me.

He saved us...He did itin order that we might

...become heirs of eternal life

according to our hope.(Titus 3:3-7)

While we were still sinners,

Christ [Jesus] died for us.While we were enemies

we were reconciledto God through the

death of His Son.(Ro. 5:6, 8, 10a)

I give them eternal life,and they will never lose it.

(John 10:28a)


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Through Himyou believe in (rely on) God,

who raised Him up from the deadand gave Him honor and glory,

so that your faith and hopeare centered and rest

in God.(1 Peter 1:21)

We have fixed our hopeon the living God,who is the Savior

(Preserver, Maintainer, Deliverer)of all men.

(1 Timothy 4:10)

We know that a personis not justified by works of the law

but through faith in Jesus Christ,so we also have believed in Christ

Jesus,in order to be justified by faith in

Christ

and not by works of the law,because by works of the law

no one will be justified.

(Galatians 2:16)

But to one who, not working by theLaw,

trusts (believes fully) in Himwho justifies the ungodly,

his faith is credited to himas righteousness.

All who truly believethus

have righteousness imputed to them

Christ Jesuscame into the world

to save sinners,

of whom I am foremost.But I obtained mercy

for the reason thatin me, as the foremost of sinners,

Jesus Christ mightshow forth and display

all His perfect long-suffering andpatience

for an example to encourage thosewho would thereafter believe on Him

for the gaining of eternal life.

(1 Timothy 1:14b-16)

Whoever is thirsty,let him come;

and whoever earnestly desires to do it,

let him come, take and drinkthe free gift

of the water of Life.(Rev. 22:17)

Behold, God, my salvation!I will trust and not be afraid,

for the Lord God

is my strength and song;yes, He has become

my salvation.

(Isaiah 12:2)

We aren't savedbecause we are perfec

we are saved solely bec

Jesus Christ paid the pefor all our sins through His

on the cross. Are you trustalone for your salvatio

(Billy Graham)

This is faith:a renouncing of everythwe are apt to call our o

and relying wholly upothe blood, righteousne

and intercession of Jesu(John Newton)

Not having anyself-achieved righteousness

based on my obedienceto the Law's demands

(ritualistic uprightness),but possessing that

genuine righteousnesswhich comes

through faith in Christ,the truly right standing

with God,which comes from God

by saving faith.(Philippians 3:8-9b)

We believe that we will be savedthrough the grace of the Lord Jesus.

(Acts 15:15-12)

and credited to their account.(Romans 4:5, 11a, 46a)


26/41


27/41

Ephesians 1:14

That Spirit is the guarantee

of our inheritance[the firstfruits, the pledge and

foretaste,

the down payment on our heritage],

in anticipation of its full redemptionand our acquiring complete

possession of it--to the praise of His glory.

.See also: 2 Cor. 1:18-22, 5:5, 17; Eph. 1:11-14, 4:30; John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1 John 3:24, 4:13-15; 1 Cor. 2: 12, 12:13; Gal. 4:29


28/41

The Sheeps Advocate(Can anyone bring any charge against me?)

God is both our judge and our advocate (Romans 8:33-34). God has

justified and acquitted us (Romans 3:26, 8:33-34) and Christ stands ready todefend us (1 John 2:1).

If we sin, we have an Advocate who will intercede for us with theFather. It is Jesus Christ the all righteous. (1 John 2:1) He is at the right hand

of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34) He isalways living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene

for us (Hebrews 7:24-25).He will be our warrant against all accusation or indictment (1

Corinthians 1:8a, Romans 8:33-34). He will guarantee our vindication andestablish us to the end (1 Corinthians 1:8, Romans 8). We will be guiltlessand irreproachable in the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8a, Romans 8:33-34). He will preserve us and bring us safely into His heavenly kingdom (2

Timothy 4:18, Jeremiah 31:3, John 6:44). He will present usblameless, faultless and unblemished before His presence in

triumphant joy (Jude 1:24).If God is for us, who can be against us? Who will come

forward and accuse or condemn us? Who will bring any chargeagainst us? Will God? Will Christ? (Romans 8:33-34) No weapon

that is formed against us will prosper. Every tongue that risesagainst us in judgment we will show to be in the wrong. Thispeace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition is ourheritage. This is the righteousness and vindication which we obtain from God.

(Isaiah 54:17b)

Christ has enteredinto into heaven itself,

now to appearin the presence of God

on our behalf.

He has appeared once for all timeto put away sin

by the sacrifice of himself.

(Hebrews 9:24, 26b)

[Christ] holds His priesthoodunchangeably,

because He lives on forever.Therefore

He is able also to save

to the uttermost(completely, perfectly, finally,

and for all time and eternity)

those who come to Godthrough Him,

since He is always living

to make petition to Godand intercede with Him

and intervene for them.

(Hebrews 7:24b-25)

There is therefore nowno condemnation

for those who are in Christ Jesus.(Romans 8:1)

And indeed the Lord


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will certainly deliver

and draw me to Himselffrom every assault of evil.

He will preserveand bring me safe

unto His heavenly kingdom.To Him be the glory

forever and ever.

(2 Timothy 4:18)

[The Devil]does not stand in thetruth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaks a falsehood,

he speaks what is natural to him,for he is a liar and the father of lies

and of all that is false.(John 8:44b)

The accuser of our brethren,he who keeps bringing

before our Godcharges against them

day and night,has been cast out!

(Revelation 12:10)


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The Sheeps Sanctification(What about when I mess up?)

1. "For those whom He foreknew, He also destined from the beginning

[foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son and shareinwardly His likeness, that He might become the firstborn among many

brethren." (Romans 8:29)

2. "And all of us...are constantly being transfigured into His very ownimage in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory toanother; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians3:18)

3. "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a

good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up tothe time of His return], developing that good work and perfecting andbringing it to full completion in you." (Philippians 1:6)

4. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-

increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you? (2 Corinthians13:5)

5. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but Ipress on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me hisown. (Philippians 3:12)

6. "When he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is."

(1 John 3:2)

"I am not what I ought to be,I am not what I want to be,I am not what I hope to be in another world;

but still I am not what I once used to be,and by the grace of God

I am what I am."

John Newton

For we do not havea High Priest who is unable

to understand and sympathize

and have a shared feeling withour weaknesses and infirmities and liabil

to the assaults of temptation,but One who has been tempted

in every respect as we are

[Therefore we should]draw near with confidence

to the throne of grace.(Hebrews 4:15a-16b


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The Sheeps Authenticity(What is some evidence of sheephood?)

Love."We know that we have

passed over out of death into Life

by the fact that we love the

brethren. He who does not loveabides (remains, is held and keptcontinually) in [spiritual]

death. ...Little children, let us notlove merely in theory or in

speech but in deed and in truth(practice and sincerity). By this

we shall come to know (perceive,recognize, understand) that we

are of the Truth, and can

reassure (quiet, conciliate, andpacify) our hearts in His

presence, whenever our hearts intormenting self-accusation makeus feel guilty and condemn us.

For we are in God's hands. (1John 3:14-20a)

"Beloved, let us love oneanother, for love is (springs) from

God; and he who loves hisfellowmen is begotten (born) of

God and is coming progressivelyto know and understand God [to

perceive, recognize and get abetter and clearer knowledge of

Him]. He who does not love hasnot become acquainted with God

[does not and never did knowHim], for God is love. ...If we

love one another, God abides(lives and remains) in us and His

love (that love which isessentially His) is brought to

completion (to its full maturity,runs its full course, is perfected)

in us! (1 John 4:7, 12b)

God is love, and he whodwells and continues in love

dwells and continues in God, andGod dwells and continues in him.

In this [union and communion

with Him] love is brought tocompletion and attains perfection

with us, that we may haveconfidence for the day of judgment

[with assurance and boldness to face

Him],

because asHe is, so are

we in this

world. (1John 4:16a-17)

Fruit.Every

healthy(sound) tree

bears goodfruit. (Matt.

7:17a) The

fruit of theHoly Spirit[the work

which Hispresence

within

accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness),

peace, patience (an even temper,

But Godsfirm foundation stands,

bearing this seal:

The Lord knowsthose who are his.

(2 Timothy 2:19)

Therefore if any person

is ingrafted in Christhe is a new creation

(a new creature altogether);the old [previous moral

and spiritual condition]has passed away.

Behold, the new has come!(2 Corinthians 5:17)


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forbearance), kindness, goodness

(benevolence), faithfulness,gentleness (meekness, humility) and

self-control (self-restraint,continence). (Galatians 5:22)

When you bear (produce)much fruityou show and prove

yourselves to be true followers

of Mine. (John 15:8)"Examine and test and

evaluate your own selves to see

whether you are showing theproper fruits of [your faith].

Test and prove yourselves. Doyou not yourselves realize and

know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that

Jesus Christ is in you--unlessyou are counterfeits

disapproved on trial andrejected?" (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Christlikeness."By this we may

perceive (know, recognize, and

be sure) that we are in Him:Whoever says he abides in Him

ought to walk and conducthimself in the same way in

which He walked and conducted

Himself." (1 John 2:6) "All ofus...are constantly being

transfigured into His very own

image. Jesus Christ is in you.(2 Corinthians 3:18a, 13:5b)

Confession.No one can say Jesus is

Lord except in the Holy Spirit.

(1 Cor. 12:3) By this you mayknow the Spirit of God: every

spirit which acknowledges andconfesses the fact that Jesus

Christ actually has become manand has come in the flesh is of

God [has God for its source].(1 John 1:4)

Appetite.I will give them a heart

to know that I am the Lord, and

they shall be my people and Iwill be their God, for they shall

return to me with their whole

heart. (Jeremiah 24:7)

O God, You are my God,earnestly will I seek You; my soul

thirsts for You, my flesh longs and isfaint for You, in a dry and weary land

where there isno water. My

whole being

follows hardafter You andclings closely

to You[I] willrejoice in God.

(Ps. 63) Ihave no

delight ordesire on earth

besides You.(73:25b)

One thinghave I asked

of [You], thatwill I seek,

inquire for,

and insistentlyrequire: that I

may dwell in[Your

presence] all

the days ofmy life, to

behold andgaze upon

[Your]beauty.and

to meditate,consider, and

inquire in[Your] temple.

You havemade known

to me the pathof life; in your

presence thereis fullness of

joy; at your

right hand arepleasuresforevermore.

(27:3)

AuthenticChristians

ManyThe believer iseternally secure

because God is

eternally faithful.

~gotquestions.org


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people know someone who at one

time expressed faith in Christ and whomight have appeared to be a genuine

Christian who later departed from thefaith and now wants to have nothing

to do with Christ or His church. Thesepeople might even deny the very

existence of God. The bible teaches

that people such as those who professChrist as Savior at one time only tolater walk away and deny Christ, were

never truly saved in the first place.For ex., 1 John 2:19 says, They went

out from us, but they were not of us;for if they had been of us, they would

have remained with us; but they wentout from us, in order that it might be

made manifest that they all are nottruly of us.

The Bible is also clear that noteveryone who professes to be a

Christian truly is. Jesus Himself saysthat not everyone who says Lord,

Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven

(Matt. 7:21-22)Those people whoprofess Christ and fall away simply

reinforces the importance of testingour salvation to make sure we are in

the faith (2 Cor. 13:5) and making

[sure of] our calling and election bycontinually examining our lives to

make sure we are growing in

godliness (2 Peter 1:10).

A person who believes theycan live any way they want because

they have professed Christ is notdemonstrating true saving faith (1 Jo.

2:3-4). Those who are saved will beconformed to the image of Christ

through the process of sanctification

(1 Cor. 6:11). When a person issaved, the HS breaks the bondage ofsin and gives the believer a new heart

and a desire to seek holiness.Therefore a true Christian will desire

to be obedient to God and will beconvicted by the HS when they sin.

They will never live any way theywant because such behavior is

impossible for someone who has beengiven a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17).

If someone is truly saved,they have been made alive by the

Holy Spirit and have a new heart withnew desires. There is no way that one

that has been born again can later

be unborn. Because of His uniquelove for His children, God will keep all

of His children safe from harm andJesus has promised that He would

lose none of His sheep. Jesus, the

author and perfecter of faith(Hebrews 12:2), is able to completely

save those that the

Father has given Him (7:25) and to

keep them saved through alleternity. ~gotquestions.org


34/41

The Sheeps Security(What does all this mean for me?)

If you have truly had a change of mind(Matthew 4:17), in which you turned from your sin(Acts 3:19) and humbled yourself like a child(Matthew 18:3) and trusted in Christ alone for

salvation (John 3:16) and became subject to Him(Hebrews 5:9, John 3:36) and wanted Him morethan anything (Matthew 13:44) and loved Him morethan everything (Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:33, 1 Cor.16:22) and received Him as your most valued

treasure (John 1:12, Matthew 13:44, Philippians 3:8, Hebrews 11:6, Ps. 37:4)

You now posses eternal life(John 3:16, 5:24, 6:46-50, 1 John 5:13)

You are truly saved(Jeremiah 17:14b)

You are really free(John 8:36b, Hebrews 2:15)

You will not come under judgment or condemnation(Jhn 5:24)

You will not perish or be lost(John 3:16b)

You have been saved from death

(Acts 2:38, 47b)

You have already passed over out of death into life(John 5:24)

You will be raised just as Christ was(1 Cor.1:9,15:3-4,2-20,Ro.6:3-4, 13)

You share His resurrection(1 Corinthians 15, 1:9; Galatians 2:20)

You dont live anymore; Christ lives in you(Gal. 2:20, 2 Cor. 13:5)

You belong to God; you are His(2 Timothy 2:19)

No one can snatch you out of His hand(John 10:28-29)

Nothing can separate you from His love(Romans 8:35)

No one can bring any charge against you(Romans 8:33-34)

No one can accuse or condemn you(Romans 8:33-34)

You will be guiltless when you stand before Him(1 Cor. 1:8)

Gods love and kindness will never depart from you(Jeremiah 31:3, Phil. 1:27-28, Isaiah

54:10, Psalm 23:6)

When you are faithless, He remains faithful to His word and righteous

character(2 Corinthians 1:18-19, 2 Timothy 2:11-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 2Thes. 3:3, Hebres 3:6, 10:23, 1 John 1:9)

You are His child and heir(Titus 3:7, John 1:12-13, Romans 8:15-17, 1 John 3:1)

You are part of His kingdom(Revelation 5:10b,Hebrews 12:28b, Matthew 13:44)

You are a citizen of heaven(Philippians1:21a,Hebrews 13:14a, Ephesians 2:19)

You are an heir to eternal life(Tit. 3:7, Eph.1:11, Mat. 25:34, Rom. 8:17, Gal. 3:18)

You are clothed with salvation(Isaiah 61:10b,2 Chr. 6:41, Psa. 132:16, 149:4)

You are guarded with salvation(Isaiah 26:1b,60:18, 22 Samuel 22:36a)

You are armed with salvation(Ephesians 6:17, 22 Samuel 22:36a, 1 Thes. 5:8-10)

Put on the hope of salvation(Ephesians 6:17, 22 Samuel 22:36a, 1 Thes. 5:8-10)

You can consider yourself alive to God and


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living in unbroken fellowship with Him(Ro. 6:3-23)

You can know with absolute assurance thatyou have eternal life(1 John 5:13, 1 John 3:2b, Job 19:26)

Expect and wait quietly for salvation and the fulfillment of Godspromise(Genesis 49:18, Psalm 119:123, 9:14b, 21:1, 51:12a; Lamentations 3:26, Isaiah 25:9, Jude 1:21)

Trust and depend on and hope in Christ(Genesis 49:18, Psalm 9:14b, 21:1,51:12a, 119:123, Lamentations 3:26, Jude 1:21, Isaiah 12:2-3, 25:9, Corinthians 1:9, 1 Peter 1:3)

Rejoice in the hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God

.(Ro. 5)

One day you will see God and rejoice in His salvationIsaiah 35:2, etc.)

You will be with God forever(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, John 14:3b, 2 Corinthians 5:6)

Perfect Freedoma story by Charles W. Colson

"As one who has servedtime in prison and has since

spent most of my life working in

them, I'll never forget the mostunusual prison I've ever visited.

"Called Humaita Prison, itis in Sao Jose dos Campos in

Brazil. Formerly a governmentprison, it is now operated by

Prison Fellowship Brazil as analternative prison, without

armed guards or high-tech

security. Instead, it is run on theChristian principles of love of

God and respect for men."Humaita has only two

full-time staff; the rest of the

work is done by the 730 inmatesserving time for everything from

murder and assault to robberyand drug related crimes. Every

man is assigned another inmate

to whom he is accountable. Inaddition, each prisoner is

assigned a volunteer mentorfrom the outside who works with

him during his term and after

his release. Prisoners takeclasses on character

development and areencouraged to participate in

educational and religiousprograms.

"When I visited this

prison, I found the inmatessmiling--particularly the

murderer who held the keys,opened the gates and let me in.

Wherever I walked, I saw menat peace. I saw clean living

areas. I saw people workingindustriously. The walls were

decorated with motivational

sayings and Scripture."Humaita has an

astonishing record. It'srecidivism rate [returning to

criminal habits] is 4 percent,

compared to 75 percent in therest of Brazil. How is that

possible?"I saw the answer when

my inmate guide escorted me to

the notorious cell once used forsolitary punishment. Today, he

told me, it always houses thesame inmate. As we reached the

end of the long concrete corridor

and he put the key into the lock,he paused and asked, 'Are you

sure you want to go in?'

I give them eternal life, and they will never lose it or perish throughout the age


36/41

"'Of course," I replied

impatiently. 'I've been inisolation cells all over the world.'

Slowly he swung open themassive door, and I saw the

prisoner in that cell: a crucifix,

beautifully carved--Jesus,

hanging on the cross.'He's doing time for the

rest of us,' my guide saidsoftly."


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The Final Word(Some closing scripture)

I am the Door;anyone who enters in

through Me

will be saved (will live).Hewill find pasture.

(John 10:9)

Whoever believes in(trusts in, relies on) [Jesus]

shall not perish

but have everlasting life.Whoever believes in the Son

has eternal life.(John 3:16b, 36a)

I tell you the truth,

whoever hears my wordand believes him who sent me

has eternal lifeand will not be condemned;

he has crossed overfrom death to life.

(John 5:24)

He is ableto save to the uttermost(completely, perfectly, finally,

and for all time and eternity)those who come to God

through Him.(Hebrews 7:23-24a)

I give them eternal life,

and they will never lose it or perishthroughout the ages.

To all eternitythey will never by any means

be destroyed.And no one is able

to snatch them out of My hand.My Father, who has given them to Me,

is greater and mightier than all else;and no one is able to snatch them

out of the Father's hand."(John 10:28-29)

Though the mountains should depart

and the hills be shaken or removed,yet My love and kindness

will not depart from you.(Isaiah 54:10b)

I will not in any way fail you

nor give you upnor leave you without support.

I will not, I will not, I will not

in any degreeleave you helpless

nor forsake [you]nor let you down

(relax my hold on you)!

Assuredly not!"(Hebrews 13:5)

I pray that the eyes of your heartmay be enlightened,

so that you will know

what is the hope of His calling,

what are the riches of the gloryof His inheritance in the saints,and what is the surpassing greatness

of His power toward us who believe.(Ephesians 1:18-19)

By His boundless mercy

we have been born againto an ever-living hope

through the resurrectionof Jesus Christ

from the dead, born anew

into an inheritancewhich is beyond the reach

of change and decay,

imperishable, unsullied and unfading,reserved in heaven for you,

who are being guarded (garrisoned)by God's power

through your faithtill you fully inherit that final salvation


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that is ready to be revealed for you

in the last time.

You should be exceedingly gladon this account

Though you do noteven now see Him,

you believe in Him

and exult and thrillwith inexpressible and glorious

(triumphant, heavenly) joy.

At the same time

you receive the result(outcome, consummation)

of your faith,the salvation of your souls."

(1 Peter 1:3b-6a)

For here we have

no permanent city,but we are looking for the one

which is to come.

We are citizens of the state(commonwealth, homeland)

which is in heaven,and from it also

we earnestly and patiently awaitthe coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

as Savior.

(Phil. 1:21a, Heb. 13:14a)

I am always with You;You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with Your counsel,

and afterward

you will take me into glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?

And I have no delight or desire on earthbesides You.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the Rockand firm Strength of my heart

and my Portion forever."(Psalm 73:23-26)

Only goodness, mercy, and unfailing

loveshall follow me all the days of my life,

and through the length of my days

the house of the Lord [and His presence]

shall be my dwelling place.(Psalm 23:6)

He tends his flock like a shepherd:he gathers the lambs in his arms

and carries them close to his heart

(Isaiah 40:10-11)

"Do not let your hearts

be troubled (distressed, agitated).You believe in and trust in

and rely on God;

believe in and trust inand rely also on Me.

In My Father's housethere are many dwelling places.

If it were not so,I would have told you;

for I am going awayto prepare a place for you.

And if I go and make readya place for you,

I will come back againand will take you to Myself,

that where I amyou may be also."

(John 14:1-3)

Christ, having been offered onceto bear the sins of many,

will appear a second time,not to deal with sin but to save

those who are eagerly waiting for him.(Hebrews 9:28)

[We] wait for his Son from heaven,

whom he raised from the dead,Jesus who delivers us

from the wrath to come.(1 Thessalonians 1:10).

They will see His face,

and His name will be on their foreheads.(Revelation 22:4)

"Comfort and encourage one another

with these words[:]The Lord Himself

will descend from heavenWewill.be caught up.in the clouds


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to meet the Lord

.and so always (through the eternityof the eternities)

we will be with the Lord!"

(1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, 16)

The EndThe End

~*~


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Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appearThe hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come;

'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus farand Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the veil,A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand yearsBright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praiseThan when we've first begun.


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secure in the shepherd's hand