Sunday, June 5, 2011

~ "East to West..."


As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Ps 103:12)

He has torn the veil in the temple from top to bottom. He has forever removed that which separated us from God. He as released us from the law. He has us right we did not earn. He has made a promise He will keep.

"As far as the east is from the west - As far as possible; as far as we can imagine. These are the points in our apprehension most distant from each other, and as we can conceive nothing beyond them, so the meaning is, that we cannot imagine our sins could be more effectually removed than they are. The literal meaning of the Hebrew is, 'like the distance of the east from the west' or, 'like its being far' (Barnes' Notes on the Bible).

Jesus' selfless act freed us. There is no hoping any longer, only a guarantee. He came to make us righteous in the eyes of God. His sacrifice was the atonement for our sins - He is our sacrificial lamb. No longer do we go through the rituals of old, Jesus changed all that! He re-wrote that law when His life literally hung in the balance been then and now.

We are reminded over and over not to change the word of God - not to make it "more convenient" to accommodate. Under no circumstances are we to deviate from it, add to it or take away from it. That command is for all people. We are to worship no other god. That command, too, is for all people.

What works today will work tomorrow. Do not hesitate to point out discrepancies in what you see that is wrong, but do not shrink from hearing the criticisms for your own short comings. If what you are doing is contrary to what the Lord commands, and someone calls you on it - thank them, accept their warning and work on rectifying the inadequacy. Don't overlook the opportunity to better yourself.

How far is the east from the west??? From one scarred hand to the other...