As winter approaches, up around the Arctic Circle, the surface of the sea can freeze quite rapidly when the temperature takes a sudden drop. A normal ship which is afloat there at that time can become hopelessly trapped in the ice putting the ship and all aboard in immediate peril. The doom of such a vessel is sure unless a specially equipped and built ship called an ice-breaker comes to its rescue, breaking up the ice and opening a path out of the frozen expanse which has entombed it. In fact all shipping in the area would come to a complete halt were it not for the ability of such ships. Their value cannot be overstated.
The sons of GOD, by their natural birth, find themselves hopelessly entombed in "sin and nature's night" with no hope of escape apart from a DELIVERER sent to their rescue. While it is quite a popular doctrine to preach that the salvation of sinners is dependent on their choice of the SAVIOR, the truth is that the salvation of sinners is actually dependent on the ability and choice of the SAVIOR to save them. The predominant teaching of today tells men that the LORD has done all HE can for them, and now the choice to be saved or not is all up to them. Such teaching is a bold faced lie. Not only does it relegate the sovereign power of GOD to second place status behind that of man, but it encourages men to mistakenly believe that they have the power (called free will) to free themselves from their own dilemma. The man who has been convinced by the SPIRIT of GOD of the death grip which sin has upon him entertains no such notion but is like the Apostle Peter who when sinking beneath the waves cried out, "LORD save me." The SAVIOR reached out HIS hand and snatched Peter from certain doom. The same ONE who bid him come rescued him by HIS own power.
JESUS CHRIST is a mighty SAVIOR. HE is not waiting for men to do something which HE responds to; but HE has already accomplished all that is necessary for the salvation of HIS own. Like the ice-breaker in our illustration HE is both equipped and able to save them to uttermost. HE is the BREAKER.
HE has broken the veil into the Holy of Holies. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us." (Heb 9:24) When HE cried "It is finished" the veil of the temple was torn asunder signifying that HE had made a clear path into the very presence of Almighty GOD for the sinners for whom HE died. HE is our acceptance with the FATHER. "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." (Heb 10:22) We come here believing: not in order that we may be saved but because HE has saved us.
HE has broken the power of the Law to condemn us. We were under the curse of the law and by nature the children of wrath, but HE has delivered us from that curse being made a curse for us. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." (Gal 3:13) HE said, "And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." (Heb 10:17-18)
HE has broken down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us" (Eph 2:14) GOD makes no difference between the salvation of Jews or Gentiles. That remnant which HE chose before the foundation of the earth is made up of men from every kindred, tribe, and tongue. CHRIST alone is the salvation of HIS people and the sole basis for the acceptance of any man before the throne of GOD. HE is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." (Col 3:11)
HE has broken the power of sin to hold us captive. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. " (Eph 2:1-3) "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10) We are no longer the slaves of sin, HE has made us new creatures by the power of HIS grace and has given us the mind of CHRIST.(see I Cor.2:16) "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.---For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." (Romans 6:11,14)
HE has broken our rebellion against HIM and reconciled us to HIMSELF. Apart from the work of the BREAKER we would still be at enmity with HIM. HE has sent HIS SPRIT to convince us of sin (ours), righteousness (HIS) and judgment (HE is our MEDIATOR). "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." (1 Pet.2:7-8) (see also Mat.21:42-44)
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