When Can’t Means Won’t—Conclusion

Under the law, when a widow requested a next of kin to perform the role of kinsman-redeemer, he was never forced to comply. He had to do it voluntarily. In fact, there were only three conditions that had to be met:

1. He had to be qualified as a kinsman;
2. He had to be able to perform;
3. He had to be willing.

In Ruth’s case, her kinsman paid the price to redeem her in accordance with the levirate law. But did you know, that as human beings, we also need to be redeemed? Our redemption is different from Ruth’s, but just like Ruth, we have a kinsman-redeemer who is qualified, able, and willing. And the best news is that He has already paid the price for our redemption. Our kinsman-redeemer is Jesus Christ and to receive His redemption, all we have to do is believe. Believe what, you ask?

Believe that Jesus is our nearest kinsman through His incarnation.

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:—Romans 8:3

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.—Romans 8:29

Believe that He was like us in every way except that He never experienced sin:

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.—Hebrews 2:17

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.—Hebrews 4:15

For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.—2 Corinthians 8:9

Believe that He assumed our debt and paid it with His life.

Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.—Titus 2:14

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.—1 John 1:7

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.—1 John 2:2

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”—Hebrews 10:12

Believe that Jesus is willing to redeem us

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.—Mark 10:45

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.—John 10:17–18

Believe that Jesus gave His life voluntarily and sacrificially as the vicarious or substitutionary atonement of our sin debt in obedience to God the Father as payment to release us from the bondage and penalty of sin.

Believe that Jesus paid the price in full and we can receive redemption if we choose to:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.—John 3:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.—Hebrews 4:16

Believe that the invitation for redemption by Jesus is open. Jesus is our nearest kinsman. It is our responsibility to come to Him and ask Him to redeem us.

In 2 Timothy 1:12, the Apostle Paul writes:

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

“I have believed,” is in the perfect tense in the Greek text. Paul is saying, “I have believed and my faith is a firmly settled conviction.”

God is keeping guard over him. “Persuaded” is also in perfect tense in the Greek. Paul had come to a settled persuasion regarding the matter. It is a fixed and permanent position. Nothing could move him from his belief.

I’ll never pretend that I know everything in the Bible, but there are some things of which I am absolutely sure.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.—Romans 10:9

You must ask Him to give you the righteousness.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.—Romans 10:13

If you’ve ever visited a Bible believing church, you’ve heard the Gospel preached. Chances are good that you’ve heard it, heard it, heard it, and heard it.

Do you realize you run 3 huge risks if you reject the Gospel. You are gambling with your eternal soul in three ways:

1. When you die, you don’t get a second chance. The moment you die every decision is over. Your destiny is sealed.
2. Just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth, which I believe we may see in our lifetime, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 is very plain. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

   If you have not responded to the Gospel by the time the Anti-Christ ascends to power, you will not get another chance.

3. When you finish reading this message and walk away from your computer tonight, you run the risk that the Holy Spirit who’s been dealing with you throughout this series will quit dealing with you forever.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;—Romans 1:28

That’s exactly what happened to Judas Iscariot. He had every single gift all the other Apostles had, but tonight he is burning in hell because he never made a conscious choice to trust God’s son.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)—2 Corinthians 6:2

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:—Isaiah 55:6

Today is the day of salvation, now is the accepted time. And to remind you in Luke 14, when Jesus gives the parable of the great supper.

For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.—Luke 14:24

What’s holding you back?

If you knew that the moment you stand up and go out your front door, you’d be damned forever, would you want Jesus to save you first?

If you knew that when you pillow your head tonight, somewhere during the night the death angel would come and take your soul out of your body, would you want Jesus to save you tonight?

If you knew that next time you ride in a car, you wouldn’t make it to your destination, would you want Jesus to save you before you pull out of the driveway?

Well, you don’t know when any of these things will happen. Now is the time to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. If you want to learn a little bit more about what this all means, the please visit then Gospel page on this site.