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As we approach the season of Passover, when Jesus God’s Only Begotten Son set His face toward Calvary to satisfy God His Father on behalf of everyone who believes in Him, we are drawn to make an effort to learn how we should be affected in our lives as a result of knowing the reasons Jesus was willing to receive such a horrible death, suffering and humiliation to earn for us a perfect standing in the site of God His Holy Father. What is a proper response for believers to such Amazing Grace? Let us consider this now as we think about a new course and commitment for ourselves to be “Committed To Improvement”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 1:1- -11 (KJV)
Hab 1:1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
Habakkuk’s Complaint
Hab 1:2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!
Hab 1:3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.
Hab 1:4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
The Lord’s Answer
Hab 1:5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.
Hab 1:6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs.
Hab 1:7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
Hab 1:8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
Hab 1:9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
Hab 1:10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.
Hab 1:11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 2Corinthians 5:17 – 21 (KJV)
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Transforming Power Statements:
1) Habakkuk was distraught about the evil going on among the covenant people based on the facts he knew about the righteousness of God, which put him in a quandary as to how a Holy God could allow them to do such things without rendering any judgment, just as we are today as we see sin running rampant even in the visible church, but he found out that regardless of how it “appears” God was still on His throne planning to use others even more evil to bring about His judgment in due time.
2) God the Father sent Jesus His Only Begotten Son into a world of evil so called “religious” people whom He knew would misunderstand Who He was and crucify Him so that He would rise from the dead displaying victory over all sin, death, the council of hell and even the grave to show all mankind He was committed to His own love for us to this tremendous degree, so that we who believe in Him should become “Committed To Improvement”.
3) Paul writes about the pattern of regeneration by the new birth in Christ Jesus, which makes the believer a new creation in Christ Jesus, who is now equipped to live a life of improved Biblical understanding which produces progressive sanctification in every saved life, as well as evangelism of others who also need to be reconciled to God!