KHANDIE'S KORNER - July 18, 2004

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Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

ROSE.gif (9864 bytes)This Weeks Message- (scripture taken from King James Version)

 SALVATION AND THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles, men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.   For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart”  (Acts 2:36-46)

In the “church world” today, there appears to be much debate and misunderstanding on the subject of “Salvation and The Gift of The Holy Spirit”.  Many, through false teachings and misinterpretation of scripture, have various different beliefs on how an individual receives and maintains the gifts of salvation and the Holy Ghost.  Thus, it is of EXTREME IMPORTANCE that we fully understand from a scriptural stand point the life changing power of these gifts and exactly what must be done to obtain them, that we are not misled into believing we have something that we may truly lack. For some are led to believe that by simply reciting what is known today as “the sinners  prayer”, this alone would seal their eternal destination.   However, a prayer without spiritual understanding is meaningless.  If one speaks while the heart remains unrepentant, then the words uttered becomes as such…mere words uttered, having no spiritual effect on the life of the one speaking as he/she walks away unchanged and thus return back to their former ways. Salvation is not something one obtain based upon an emotional one time, spur of the moment reaction only to return back to your former way of living, but is a conscious decision moved by a heart of true repentance and thus becomes a way of life.  Not a one time event and then back to business as usual, but from that moment forward that believers’ life is transformed in that OLD things are passed away, behold ALL things have become new.   These “old” things indicates not only past sins committed that are now forgiven, but also our “old way” of life in that the road we once tread upon which led to destruction because of sin, would then become rejected by the “new man” who would choose to begin walking upon the road which leads to life leaving ALL former things behind.  If one is still lugging around sins of the past, making such present in his/her life today and yet have confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives, such a person has not truly repented of their sins from the heart and have not received enough GODLY SORROW which leads to repentance, which then leads to salvation.  Let’s look at the above scripture reference for a moment.  The multitude whom Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to, after hearing were crushed to heart and so moved by Godly sorrow that they asked Peter What shall we do?”  The very first thing that came forth from Peter’s mouth was not “Recite a prayer and all will be well with you, afterwards you will receive salvation, etc.”  The FIRST word Peter replied to them was…. REPENT!  Now, keep in mind there is nothing wrong at all with one praying a prayer, however WITHOUT TRUE REPENTANCE the prayer then becomes null and void as it is more important what your heart says rather than your mouth. 
Within the heart is validity.  If the heart is truly repentant, thus will be proven through action more than speech.  Repentance is followed by Godly sorrow and It is the Holy Spirit who draws us to that place of Godly sorrow as we stand thus naked and ashamed before our Father, with hidden sins exposed we begin to truly SEE it’s wickedness for what it really is as none can hide from the LIGHT.  As we begin to see ourselves, that is our flesh, we begin to hate what he hates, and desire what he desires.   We then come to him in TRUE sorrow and repentance seeking forgiveness which he so freely gives, and from that moment forward we CHOOSE to turn our back on the sins of the flesh and CHOOSE to follow after the things of the Spirit.  Repentance is NOT just saying “I’m sorry”, day after day after day over the same things.  Repentance is TURNING AWAY from that which caused you to sin.  It is REJECTING the desire to sin by saying NO to the temptation, rather than succumb to the lust of the flesh.  Before one can truly appreciate the GIFT of Salvation, before one can truly receive the GIFT of the Holy Spirit, one must FIRST from the heart REPENT.

There are also those who believe that a lifetime of “good works” or simply being a “good person” will ensure them of salvation and earn them a place in the kingdom of heaven.  However, no amount of good works can purchase salvation for it is a GIFT.  If it were something that could be earned, it would no longer be considered a gift and the crucifixion of our Lord would have been in vain, for he paid the price for us with his blood.  No amount of “good works” could surpass nor outweigh his precious blood.  Therefore, we do good out of obedience, but salvation is received THROUGH faith and repentance.  Not by works, lest any man should boast. 

“Salvation and the gift of The Holy Spirit”, is received when one first HEARS the message of Christ; BELIEVES that which he has heard to be the truth in his heart; confess and REPENT of his sins and be baptized, and SURRENDERS his life to The Lord thus allowing the Holy Spirit to begin a magnificent inward change that would then manifest itself outwardly.  There is NO other way except through Jesus Christ our Lord. The promise of salvation is available to all who’s ready to HEAR, BELIEVE, REPENT AND SURRENDER…This is the way to RECEIVE.   Remember that salvation, being a believer on the Lord Jesus Christ is a way of life.  It is not something that is confessed today and forgotten tomorrow, but should be lived out every moment of every day of our lives.

I Love you all so very much.  Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember:  Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)……..

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

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Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God
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Find true peace now.
Find True Peace Now

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