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Post by randy on Dec 21, 2020 4:54:56 GMT
Some believe we need to find God through our priest, pastor, or church. Perhaps it is even some kind of "works" program that enables us to feel we meet with God. But there really is only one priesthood of lasting value--the priesthood of Christ.
Israel was taught to go through a priesthood of redemption through animals, and through the ministry of priests. They were asked to do works of faith, and expect to have their sins covered by the blood of animals, if only for the blessings of this life.
But final redemption comes only through the priesthood of Christ, because only through him do we truly meet and remain with God. Only through him do our works find lasting value, because only in him are our old ways completely put to death, and only in him does our righteousness obtain a standard that reaches heaven and remains in heaven.
This priesthood is eternal life that resides within Christ himself. If we copy some aspects of this life, but do not receive the very life of Christ himself, we cannot have eternal life. Redemption and eternal life are only available to us when we choose his life in place of our own.
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Post by foxjj on Dec 21, 2020 8:06:01 GMT
“But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! 15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:11-15 (NIV)
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