Only Jesus – Calvary’s Love
Only Jesus – Calvary’s Love
By Dennis Huebshman
As you may see by the title of this message, my intent is to indulge in praise, worship, honor and glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ (Messiah). In preparation for this, I enlisted the aid of two songs that have been an inspiration for this particular message.
First; about My Jesus (Yeshua). There is no other being, past or present, that has loved you and I as much as Jesus does. He is an equal part of the Trinity, which also includes the Lord God Jehovah (Yahweh – YHWH), and the Holy Spirit. To be accepted by this Trinity, we must accept Jesus as our Savior as He is the only path to the Father. When we have become a true believer, we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in us until we leave this earth. It is an “all or none” issue.
A very popular verse in the Bible that just about everyone has heard of is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (ESV – emphasis mine)
For this statement to be complete, we must add verses 17 and 18, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world; but in order that the world might be saved through Him. (18) Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” You may have heard there is only one unforgivable sin; that sin is to reject or blaspheme Jesus as your Savior, and not repent before leaving this earth.
Some have tried to say Jesus was just a man, and a good prophet, but not really God. They overlook John 10:30, “I and the Father are One.” Also, I mentioned the only path. This is found in John 14:6, “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by Me.” We’re told about the Holy Spirit which Jesus referred to as “the Helper” in John 16:7-14. Peter tells us that no scripture was written by man, but only by those who were “Holy Spirit” inspired. (2 Peter 1:20-21)
To some, the Bible is a fantasy book just full of fairy tales. This is explained in 1 Corinthians 1:18, “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing; but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” To Jesus, there has been no surprises here, as He told his disciples that only a “few” would find the narrow gate to eternal life. He realized the majority of all the people that have existed and will exist on this earth will be lost. (Matthew 7:13-14) God is not blind to this, as He knows who will and will not believe in Jesus. For those who are “perishing”, that is to accept satan and what this world alone offers, “He sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
Once someone really considers all that the Savior did for us, it seems to me it would be impossible not to accept Him, or to love Him. He is God, yet He came to this earth in full-human form. He never stopped being God, but allowed Himself to become lower than the Angels for a little while, so He could become a perfect sacrifice for us. (Hebrews 2:9) Our Creator (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) knew that as mortal, sinful and imperfect humans, we would never be able to satisfy His need for perfection in resolving sin. God cannot tolerate any sin, no matter how great or small.
The only solution was to become our sacrifice by sending a precious part of Himself to take the punishment we so richly deserve. In doing so, He has the absolute right to say that we must accept that sacrifice, as well as the One who made it for us, in order to have an eternal home with Him. He is faithful and just to “allow” any who choose to reject the sacrifice and the Savior, and be separated from Him forever. He made no other provisions than these two choices – Heaven or Hell.
I am thankful the Father allowed me to call out and be saved, and through the Holy Spirit, He has assisted me in learning more about Him through His word each day. I have prayed often for Him to continue to open my mind to His will, and provide me the capacity to love Him more each hour of each day. Today, I can’t imagine my life without Jesus. I do realize it’s up to each individual to accept or reject our Savior, and I pray for all our loved ones daily to be given guidance for them to accept Him also, if they haven’t done so
As for the songs, the first was released in 1986 by Steve Green, called “Only Jesus – Calvary’s Love.”
(prelude) Only Jesus, only He, brings redemption, full and free. There’s a yearning in all our lives; that only Jesus satisfies.
(V.1) Calvary’s Love will sail forever; bright and shining, strong and free. Like an ark of peace and safety; on the sea of human need.
Through the hours of all the ages; tired of sailing on their own. Finally rest inside the shadow, cast by Calvary’s Love, across their souls.
(chorus) Calvary’s Love, Calvary’s Love; priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of. The deepest sin can’t rise above, Calvary’s Love.
(V.2) Calvary’s Love can heal the spirit, life has crushed and cast aside; and redeem till Heaven’s promise, fills with joy, one’s empty eye.
So desire to tell His story, of a love that loved enough to die. Burns away all other passions, and fed by Calvary’s Love, becomes a fire.
(Chorus)
Calvary’s Love has never faltered; all its wonders still remains. Souls still take eternal passage; sin atoned, and Heaven gained.
(Chorus x2)
It’s actually hard to imagine a terrible scene such as the one that took place that day outside the gates of Jerusalem. Crucifixion is a most terrible and demeaning form of execution, yet this was the method chosen for, and by, our sacrificial Lamb; It was chosen even before crucifixion was made popular by the Romans. (Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53:4-6) Jesus spoke of being “lifted up” before He was arrested. He knew exactly why He came to this earth, and what would take place before He would return Home.
His blood was spotless; He did not sin. The blood of animals could never compensate for man’s sinful nature. Jesus willingly went to the cross for us (John 10:18). As I mentioned earlier, He suffered for our sins – My Sin – that He was not guilty of. Yet, if we will accept His sacrifice as the free gift that is offered, our sins will be taken away forever.
Does this mean we will not sin again? No way. However, we will have a path to forgiveness as given in 1 John 1:8-10. Once we leave this earth and have our new forever bodies, we will also have a brand-new mind-set that will never be subject to any temptation again.
Who would do this for us? Only a “Wonderful Merciful Savior” as presented by Selah in 2001. It was written by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Lee.
(V.1) Wonderful, Merciful Savior; precious redeemer and friend; who would have thought that Lamb could, receive the souls of men – Oh, you rescue the souls of men.
Counselor, comforter, keeper; Spirit we long to embrace. You offer Hope when our hearts have, hopelessly lost our way. Oh, we’ve hopelessly lost our way.
(chorus) You are the One that we praise; you are the One we adore. You give the healing and grace; our hearts always hunger for. Oh, our hearts always hunger for.
(V.3) Almighty infinite Father; faithfully loving Your own. Here in our weakness, You find us falling before your throne. Oh, we’re falling before your throne. (chorus x2)
There is going to be a wrath poured out on this earth, such as never has happened before. God promised in numerous verses of the Bible, He would keep the faithful from that wrath. We are just about at the point where this age will end, and the Tribulation will start. It could be at any moment now.
Jesus will come soon to take all believers up to meet Him in the air (Rapture), before that event starts. You can ensure you will be with Him by calling out for Him to save you; confess that you know you’re a sinner, and ask for His forgiveness. He will turn no one away who truly accepts Him. He will send the Holy Spirit to be within you until we leave here. Gods wants no one to fail, and is allowing a bit more time for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) However, it will only last for so long, and the call will go out.
Don’t hesitate or you could face a very terrible time. Call on Jesus today to get your reservation confirmed.
Shalom b’Yeshua – Peace through Jesus!