Apostle Allison Smith Conliff focuses on the transformative power of divine salvation and the necessity of submitting to God’s order. By examining the book of Isaiah, the speaker emphasizes that while human nature often resists rules, Jesus Christ provides a necessary rescue from sin that individuals cannot achieve alone. The message encourages believers to trust God during life's hardships, highlighting that divine strength offers a consistent source of joy, peace, and protection. Apostle Conliff further stresses the importance of humility and personal devotion, urging the congregation to maintain a sincere relationship with the Holy Spirit rather than practicing a performative faith. Ultimately, the message serves as an exhortation to acknowledge God in all actions, asserting that He is faithful and capable of keeping believers from falling.

Key Points:

The transition from ritualistic priestly mediation to direct salvation through Jesus Christ fundamentally redefines faith by moving it from a system of restricted access and outward ritual to one of intimate, personal relationship and internal empowerment.

In the previous order, mortal man had no direct connection with God and was required to go through rituals and priestly mediation to connect with the Divine. The high priest served as the necessary intermediary between man and God. Jesus Christ redefined this structure by becoming a "way of escape" and a "giver of salvation". This shift established an "open door policy," where individuals no longer need a human mediator but can "call upon him" directly in any circumstance, whether in grief, marriage difficulties, or professional challenges.

Under the new covenant of salvation, faith is redefined as knowing God for oneself. The Apostle emphasizes that:

• Relationship over Religion: True faith is not confined to the "house of God" or church services; rather, it is a relationship that must exist in every aspect of a believer’s life.
• Individual Responsibility: Believers are encouraged to "contend for the faith" and have a personal understanding of God that is not dependent on others.
• Internalization of the Word: Faith is built through "hearing and hearing the word of God," which involves active review and reflection to open doors that an individual could not open for themselves.

The transition redefines faith as an acceptance of the "finished work" of Jesus on the cross rather than the continuous performance of rituals. This redefinition changes the believer's role from one who struggles in limited human power to one who is authorized with power from above.

• Power Over Sin: Faith now involves "acknowledging God" in all ways, which is described as a mechanism to break the power of sin and deter the conscience from wrongdoing.
• Divine Preservation: Faith is the confidence that Jesus is "able to keep you from falling" and can present a believer "faultless" and "innocent of sin" before God's presence.

Finally, the move away from ritualistic mediation redefines the emotional posture of the believer from fear to fearless confidence. By drawing from the "wells of salvation," faith becomes a source of internal attributes such as joy, peace, love, and self-control, which are attained through the salvation received through Christ. Instead of relying on human nature, which requires oversight because it tends toward the "wrong thing," faith allows the believer to trust in Jehovah as their "strength" and "song".

Rec. Date: 7th January, 2024