Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour it, and there be none to quench it in Bethel. Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress. They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
Amos 5:6-10
The cost was extreme and the pain nearly unbearable. Having lived a perfect relationship with God and man, Jesus was beaten and horribly disfigured to the place that he could barely be recognized as a man. Yet, He was more than a man. He was God and Man in one person. It needed to be this way so that the awful and awesome effects of sin could be atoned for. It is also the very reason that Jesus clearly stated that there is no other means of salvation except Him and why all judgment is given to the Son. He paid the price, so all who reject that horrendous price will needs face Him as their judge! Since the grace purchased by the Sacrificial Lamb's passion was spurned, ignored, mocked, and rejected, the Lion of Judah requires justice.
The Prophet Amos reminds of this thought over and over in His work. With the pronouncement of justice on His lips, he fails not to share a means of escape. He shares pictures of grace in the face of justice. In this center chapter of a "doom and gloom" prophet's message we again see the yearning, pleading heart of God calling for man to turn before it is too late. What mercy! Have you ever considered that mercy and grace of God who is so holy that the angels shout this continually? It is this holiness that qualifies all of God's other attributes. Consider five astonishing facts about God's grace given us in Christ.
- It is gracious that He should be willing to forgive us at all since He is so utterly holy
- It is amazing that God would even condescend to sinful humanity and share such grace
- In view of all He has done, it is awesome that He takes time to transform the sinful into saints
- It is magnificent love that compelled Him to make the terms as easy as simple faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ
- His grace is ever evident that He is so patient with those who reject such love
Please take time to consider the message found in Amos 5 today! If you find yourself undone with GOD, don't try to offer him the tainted offering or your good works in a vain attempt to appease Him. He is too holy for that. He is the LORD and He shares His glory with no other. He is Savior, and besides Him there is no salvation. Fall on the mercy and grace found in Christ before the soon coming wrath of God is poured out! Accept Christ today! He truly is Soon2Come!
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the LORD, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:16-17
He is COMING!
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we love you our father in heaven and your only son jesus christ
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