“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all nations shall be gathered together to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall they walk after the dictates of their evil hearts” (Jeremiah 3:17). You shall follow Me and “call Me my Father” (see Jeremiah 3:19), “for I am merciful,” says the Lord (see Jeremiah 3:12). “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). “Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men” (Psalm 12:1).

All nations shall gather together, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem; to the name of the Lord, the dwelling of peace. It is easy to see that there is a city named Jerusalem, but it is not with our physical eyes that we can see “the name of the Lord, Jerusalem.” All nations gather at the name of the Lord, Jesus, Prince of Peace. The nations today gather at Jerusalem to make war and to argue over the rights of people to dwell on the land. That is not what Jeremiah was prophesying. Jeremiah was talking about the gospel of Christ Jesus going to all nations – all nations gathering at the name of the Lord.

Paul wrote, “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me” (Romans 7:17). I write to you, that is not the intent of grace. Grace says, “It is not I that am righteous, but Christ Jesus that dwells in me is righteousness.” It is the flesh that is weak and in the flesh that we sin, but the merciful love of God gives to us peace through the knowledge of salvation by the works already performed by Jesus. Jesus is the King of Peace that reigns forever as our high priest (see Hebrews 5:6). We come to Christ Jesus for salvation that begins with forgiveness – all nations come to Christ Jesus. That is grace and mercy. Paul believed that when he wrote, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

The Lord has said, “O priests this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if you will not take heart, to give glory to My name, I will send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessings” (Malachi 2:1-2). Faith is not works that we do in daily life or in worship (Why are they not both the same?); faith is giving the glory to the name of God (to the Father through the Son, Jesus). There is, in reverse of the prophecy given by Malachi, a blessing to those that glorify God’s name and know that all things are of and from God. Our salvation was sent from God. The Holy Spirit was sent from God. God gives us life. Jesus has made an end of the curse.

Help, Lord, for the godly man is ceasing! Help Lord, for the faithful are disappearing from among the sons of men. The Almighty God, and the Son and the Holy Spirit sent to us, are our only help. Christ Jesus is our salvation and our righteousness. Glorifying God, by loving one another, is our perfection. Faith is accepting the righteousness and salvation and giving the glory to God. Faith is not stepping out in His name. Stepping out is an action because we have faith. Faith is not the understanding that sin in us errors, but that God in us saves us from sin. Let us not give sin within us the glory but give glory to the name of God that saves, Christ Jesus. Proclaim that Christ Jesus is Prince of Peace within you. Proclaim that Christ Jesus is your high priest. Rejoice and glorify Jesus Christ, who Himself glorifies God the Father. How do you glorify God? The Holy Spirit, who produces love within you, will tell you.

© 2004, 2017 Tim D. Coulter Sr.