What Did Jesus Do For You When He Died? 1 Peter 2:24

What is so special about Jesus dying on the Cross? The Bible gets to the point in 1 Peter 2:24.

"He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds, you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24.

HE HIMSELF
This is a double emphasis. Christ had always intended to die for our sins. It was not an accident or a tragedy of history but his plan from the foundation of time.

BORE OUR SINS
Many people ask, "What is sin?" They want a list to check off and say, "I didn't do this or that, so I am OK." But sin is much more than a list of dos and don'ts. The Bible says, "He who knows what is right to do and fails to do it has sinned." (James 4:17). And elsewhere, "All wrongdoing is sin." (1John 5:17).

The word sin in the old language is used for missing the mark or failing to meet the standard. God is the standard and none of us can meet the standard of God's holiness; so He, being a God of love, sent his son to bear our judgment.

To bear something is to endure it; in this case, he bore the consequences of our sin. Christ carried our sins from us and took the punishment on our behalf.

IN HIS BODY
Jesus was not some kind of metaphysical spirit being or a ghost, he had a body that bled when whipped and pierced. He experienced pain and suffered.

Christ had no sin of his own to pay for so he was qualified to take on another's sin. Only as God could he could take the sins of all humanity.

ON THE CROSS
It was a terrible death and fulfilled the prophecy about the Messiah's death in so many ways. (Read Psalm 22 which describes crucifixion.)

SO THAT
Christ's death was not an accident or a mistake of history. He came with a purpose and an intention to give his life as a sacrifice for our sins.

WE MIGHT DIE TO SIN AND LIVE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.
When we accept the death and resurrection of Christ on our behalf we enter into a relationship where our identities are exchanged. When God judges the believer He will not see a sinner, instead, God will see the righteousness of Christ.

Part of the believer's identity with Christ is that since Christ died on the cross to destroy sin the believer is included in that act; in Jesus, the believer has the opportunity and power to overcome sin.

BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED.
It is a poetic way of explaining it. These words capture the totality of Christ suffering and death.

• His death heals our broken lives.
• His death healed the rift between God and man.
• His death healed our divided spirit and our broken hearts.
• His death healed the broken relationships we have with each other.
• His death makes it possible for us to find peace.

To learn more about trusting Jesus as your Savor see the tab above for the gospel.

To learn about my books of poems visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.

(c) Adron 8/27/17

What Did Jesus' Death Do For Mankind? Galatians 1:4

Everyone agrees that Jesus is important and that his death is important, but not many agree on what his death on the cross did. What does the Bible say?

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever."  Galatians 1:4.

JESUS GAVE HIMSELF

Giving is a choice. Jesus' death was not forced; he could have done many things to avoid the horrible death on the cross. He was aware it was coming, so he could have left town. He knew Judas was his betrayer, but he didn't challenge or censer Judas. He could have done a miracle or said one of those wonderful things that silenced his critics. He said heaven had ready more than six legions of angels to rescue him. But he didn't do any of those things. He stayed quiet and endured humiliation and death.

FOR OUR SINS

What is sin?   The Bible says, "All wrongdoing is sin..." 1 John 5:17, and "He who knows the good he ought to do and fails to do for him it is a sin."James 4:17.  Every act of rebellion against God is a sin.

Sin must be judged, or else God would be guilty of compromise, and evil wins mankind. But since he is the God of Love, he sent a substitute to take our place in judgment.

God accounts Christ's death as on behalf of our sins. The resurrection is God's demonstration of approval or ratification that God accepted Jesus' death on our behalf.*

RESCUE

To rescue someone is to deliver them out of a threatening situation. There was purpose in his death. It was not an accident but an intentional act to save mankind.  We need rescuing since we are in danger because of our sins and the judgment of God, who is holy and would never compromise.

Your sin had to be paid for, and either you pay for them, or a substitute does. But the substitute must not have any sin of his own, or he would not be qualified to pay for them since he must have his own sin paid for. Christ lived a perfect and sinless life. Even the professional district judge Pontius Pilot found no wrong in him. His enemies had to fabricate lies to justify his execution. He was able to bear the sins of others because he had no sin of his own to pay for.

The payment must be equal to the judgment, so the person paying for the sin would have to be God since God is the judge. Jesus proved himself to be God in many ways, so he alone is worthy.

How does Jesus' death rescue us from our sins? It is because God accepted his death on our behalf.

THE PRESENT EVIL AGE

In Christ, we are brought into God's kingdom and have become separated from this age and freed from the judgment that will come. The age we live in is going to end. Those who do not have Christ do not have any assurance of surviving God's judgment.

WHAT WE MUST DO

Jesus did the work for us. He paid for our sin as only he could do. The Father accepted his death on our behalf and leaves nothing for us to do to make salvation. Christ declared it so when from the cross, he said, "It is finished." John 19:30. All that is left for us is to accept what he did for us the same way we receive a gift since salvation is a gift. As the Gospel of John says. "But to as many, as received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God." John 1:12.

If you want to know more about receiving the gift of salvation, see the tab above for the Gospel.

*Thoughtful readers will recognize this is the most simplistic explanation of the resurrection, and much much more could be said.

(c) Adron 10/13/16

Does The Bible Explain What Being Born Again Is? 1 Peter 1:3

Jesus taught that we must be born again but what if we need help understanding what that is, does the Bible explain it? The apostle Peter gives some insight.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead," 1 Peter 1:3.

In his Epistle, or letter, Peter opens with a greeting of exuberant worship and the new birth is the pivot of his worship. In doing so he makes a few remarks that are very illuminating.

"HIS GREAT MERCY"
The foundation is not our deeds or our worthiness but His great mercy. Mercy is when you have the opportunity to exercise authority over someone but instead demonstrate forgiveness when condemnation is justified, like a judge who could condemn a guilty criminal but grants pardon instead.

"HE HAS GIVEN US"
The word "has" means that something already happened. This phrase is past tense. God did something for us already and we do not need to look for it to happen.

Being born anew is an event that happens at a point of time and you can point to that day and hour and say that was when it happened.

"NEW BIRTH"
This phrase is used several times in the Bible. It may be seen as a metaphor that describes salvation. A birth is an event. That which is born does not have any power to be more born or less born. The one being born does not make the birth he just experiences it. The one being born cannot take credit for birth because his birth is the result of another's action. In the same way we do not make salvation but we experience it when we by faith receive it.

"INTO A LIVING HOPE"
Not just a hope but a living hope. The word, living, is a present tense word, it is not a temporary hope but it is a hope that is a forever living hope. This is something more than just an idea, teaching, or concept, instead, it is a hope that is evident by the activity of the mercy of God and what He has given us.
Our hope is not in ourselves or our efforts but it is through or by something else.

"THROUGH THE RESURRECTION"
To be born again is a participation in the resurrection.

The resurrection is a cornerstone teaching of the Christian faith. It represents and confirms the validation by God and acceptance by God of Jesus' work of salvation on our behalf. The resurrection illustrates that the power of death is broken which means the threat of hell is revoked because the justice of God is proven to be satisfied. Because of the resurrection, we can be assured that Jesus took our sins upon himself and endured their punishment completely and is victorious.

"OF JESUS CHRIST"
It all points to this person. Only Jesus could save us.
      * Only Jesus was perfect and without sin (even his most fierce critics could find no fault in him, and a professional judge washed his hands of condemning Jesus whom He deemed innocent.) Being sinless, he was qualified to bear our sins.
     * Jesus gave his life willingly. He said, "I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it up again." John 10:18.
     * As the Son of God, he alone had the right to offer himself. If anyone else died for mankind's sins, we would be indebted to that one over God, which would be wrong. Only our creator could be our redeemer since we would not be in conflict with either our God or another who is our Savior. Jesus alone is the expression of God, and he alone could be our savior.

Because God is good and merciful, He gives us this new beginning of birth into a hope that will never die. The verse teaches that the new life is a gift that must be received, which means we must choose to receive it. When we receive by faith the work of Christ on our behalf, we receive the new birth.

No one can really imagine what blessings and joys are in store for those who come to God and receive the new birth.

To learn more about the plan of salvation, click on the tab, the Gospel, above. 

(c) Adron 9/23/16

Why Did Jesus Come?

The angels who gave the word to Mary and later Joseph made it clear that Jesus was coming for a unique purpose.

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

This is what the angel said to Joseph in a dream while he considered breaking off the marriage with Mary.  Mary also received a similar angelic message.

HE WILL
These two words of affirmation state that Jesus and no one else can save us.  The angel did not say Jesus was one of many.  It is an emphatic "He," as in he who is the doer.  It is not just an identifying he, but he, above all others.  He alone is able, worthy, and qualified to bring salvation.

Jesus is the one above all the others.  When John baptized him, "A voice from heaven (God) said, this is my son in whom I love; with him, I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17). Jesus stilled the storms, fed thousands with a few pieces of fish and bread, raised the dead, healed the sick, walked on water, knew the thoughts of others, cast out demons, gave sight to the blind, and spoke with love and compassion.  Peter said, "You are the Christ the son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16), the guards who were sent to arrest him returned empty-handed saying, "No one ever spoke like this man," (John 7:46). Pontius Pilate declared, "I find no fault in this man" (Luke 23:4), the centurion who witnessed his death said, "Surely he was the son of God." (Matthew 27:54). His death was accompanied by an earthquake, darkness, the opening of tombs, and resurrections of righteous contemporaries.  He rose from the grave on the third day by his own power having conquered sin and death.

SAVE
This is absolute. The Bible always teaches salvation is sure- either you are or you are not one of his people.

If there is salvation then logically there is something to be saved from.  To be saved is to be rescued, redeemed, or ransomed.  We as people need to be saved from our sin and its consequences both eternally and here in this life.   Our sin, the wrongs we do against God and people, demands judgment.  God must judge in a holy way or else be guilty by compliance and association, which would mean evil will triumph, but Christ was sinless and was thereby qualified to stand in our stead and take our judgment upon himself thereby he satisfied justice and God's perfect holiness.

HIS PEOPLE
You might think the angel was speaking about a savior for Israel, but his people are not only Israel they are from every family, tribe, and tongue.  When you trust in Jesus and the death he died to pay for your sins then among other blessings you become one of his.  You belong to Jesus and are part of his community.

FROM THEIR SINS
If there is salvation then logically there is something to be saved from. To be saved is to be rescued, redeemed, or ransomed.  We all sin in some way to some degree, and all sin, big and small must be paid for, but Jesus took all sin from every human being and endured its punishment.

THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING
When you receive the salvation he offers you become one of his people, and part of his kingdom of love and reconciliation.  You become a new person in him and have a new eternity.

Salvation as a free gift paid for by his death, but the choice is ours to receive it.

If you want to learn more about how to receive eternal life see the tab above for the gospel.

* * * * * 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

(c) Adron

Is Jesus All About The Here After, What About Life Now?

We live in the real world and though we think about what happens to us after we die we have needs for God's help today, and we need new life in us right now.  So does Jesus offer anything for me here and now?

JESUS SAID
"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:38. NIV.*

A LITTLE CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND
Many times Jesus spoke in word pictures to give power to his statements.  This statement was made at the end of the feast of the tabernacles, a time of celebration where one act of worship was to draw water and pour it out on the altar as a sacrifice.  Water is essential in the arid region and represented life.  The act of pouring water on the altar symbolized giving one's life to God.  It was also a memorial of the time that God provided water for the people in the wilderness by his miraculous powers.

WATER
Clearly, water represents life especially in such a dry region; it was sought, valued, and fought over.

RIVERS
Those who believe in the person and work of Christ are promised rivers- not just a tap, or a trickle, or a well, but plural rivers; and notice the absence of specific number given, there are countless rivers of blessing.

LIVING WATER
Water is life-giving and life-sustaining but this water is more, it is the Holy Spirit, (see vs 39).  Believing in Christ is like having life itself in us and it is busy; it is trying to bless us and others; it is trying to be life.  

WILL FLOW
Stagnate water is dead and even poisonous.  Flowing water is healthy, it is filtered and aerated by rolling over river rocks, and purified by the UV light of the sun. Flowing water is the best.

Flowing water is going somewhere; it has a direction, it can do things and take things with it. It leaves a mark on the landscape.

Flowing water is almost irresistible.

The water metaphor speaks of His Spirit entering our lives and becoming a force of abundant blessing to us and those around us.

FROM WITHIN THEM
When we come to Jesus we become a co-worker with him in blessing others.  We get his new life in us in exchange for our old life which he takes to the cross.   We become the sources of blessing that Jesus spoke of when he said, "You are the light of the world," and "You are the salt of the earth."   Jesus life is within us; we are his hands and his feet in this world.

ALL JESUS ASKS
His words were, "Whoever believes in me..."  Jesus asks us to believe in who he is and what he did for us when he died in our place for our sins.  We must believe not with an in your head knowledge way but with an in your heart and with all your soul way of believing.

Jesus offers us something now in this life; he said it like a promise that these rivers of living water will flow. It is a waste to delay coming to him and to delay the flow of blessing.

Spend time reading his words and reading the accounts of his life in the gospels to understand better who he is and what he has done for you.

To learn more about coming to Jesus click on the tab above for "The Gospel."

*There are many references in scripture to water that Jesus may have referred to such as Isaiah 58:11 Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Isaiah 44:3; Isaiah 55:1 and Zechariah 14:8, to name a few.

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

(c) Adron 1/25/15

What Is The Basis Of Salvation According to The Bible?

Does the Bible have a clear teaching about the way to get to heaven and be saved from our sin and judgment?

"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."    1 Corinthians 3:11.

NO ONE
You will not succeed to build heavenly salvation on the foundation of worldly man-made things such as education, charity, service, sacrifice, family upbringing, or other virtues you can think of. If you have any sin in your life the building of your own salvation would be compromised and not strong enough for the Day of Judgment.

FOUNDATION
A foundation is the most important part of a structure, system, or organization. The Bible speaks figuratively using the term foundation as what salvation is all about- the core truth of salvation. This foundation is the essential truth of salvation.

This foundation has been laid by God's hands. He is perfect so his foundation would be perfect. He is all-powerful so it would be able. He is all-knowing so his foundation would be faultless.

OTHER
"...None other than the one already laid," God has already laid the foundation this is in the past tense, it has been done we do not need to do it over. You cannot do better than God did.

JESUS CHRIST
Jesus is the foundation that The Almighty provides for our salvation. The Father sent his son as God-man and mediator to be the perfect substitute, and his sacrifice by death on the cross paid for all of our sins. The resurrection removes all doubt that the death of Jesus is anything but the perfect satisfaction for the judgment of our sins.

God doesn't force salvation on you- he offers it to you as a free gift. If you reject the foundation God provided for you it is an insult to him. If you try to do better than His foundation you will be more than disappointed.

Let Jesus become your foundation today for this life and for eternity. To learn more about how to get saved click on the tab above for the gospel.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What Did Jesus Do On The Cross? 1 Peter 3:18

The Apostle Peter understood what Jesus did for us on the cross when he died and what it means for each of us.

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God, He was put to death in the body but made alive in the spirit."  Peter 3:18.

SUFFERED
The suffering that Jesus endured was an overwhelming daunting crushing endurance. He felt the full wrath of God's anger for sin.

ONCE
Christ suffering cannot be redone or recreated, it was complete we do not need to finish or add to it. If it was not once for all and ever it would be none and never; if even one sin was not paid for then all would be compromised. God is just and fair he had to put every sin on Jesus- there is nothing left for us to pay for.

RIGHTEOUS
Jesus had no sins of his own to pay for. He was able to be the prefect substitute for our sins. If he had a single sin he would not have been able to pay for ours.

DEATH
There was no dispute among the witnesses that Jesus died; the roman professional executioners knew their job. Sin has to be paid for in death. Jesus died for us

ALIVE
Having met the demands of God's justice death could not hold him; he had overcome sin therefore he overcame death. Since he took our sins and paid for them he is able to give life to those who are willing to receive it.

TO BRING YOU TO GOD
The purpose of Christ's life and death was to make the way for you to come to God. He did the work all we need to do is receive it. To learn more about the Gospel and how to receive salvation see the tab above titled Gospel.

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What Did Jesus Mean By What He Said On The Cross? John 19:30

The Bible and history record several statements of Christ on the cross, the last words may be the most important.

"When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." John 19:30.

JESUS SAID
These were the last earthly words of our Lord before he gave up his spirit. It could have more than one meaning...
     * It could mean that the torture of the cross was over in his death.
     * It could mean his life was over.
     * It could mean his mission was over.
     * It could mean the end of the movement he started.
     * It could mean that he did all that was needed to be done to save souls.

Or all of the above.

What Jesus did on the cross for us is all, there is nothing else we need to do. Or else he could not say It is finished.

We cannot add to the finished work of Jesus; not our good deeds or charity or penance or time in purgatory.

POST FINISHED
His resurrection is the evidence that the death of Christ fulfills the demands of the judgment of sin and that death is conquered. After Jesus gave witness for 40 day to his resurrection he ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of God* this is the exclamation mark to the words, it is finished, because he is at rest.

REWARD
Jesus did the work but we get the paycheck. The fruit of Christ labor is our salvation and that is his glory. We do not do any work but we must receive the gift of the salvation his work accomplished for us.

To learn more about how we must respond to the Gospel see the tab above.

* Mark 16:19, Hebrews 10:12.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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Is There More Than One Way To God?

We know we need God. We want to find him but which way is right? Do all ways lead to Heaven?

The Bible says:
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."  1 Timothy 2:5.

MEDIATOR
A mediator brings two or more parties together. Mankind needs a mediator, because we are barred away from Our Heavenly Father. We are barred from God because of our wrongs against him and the people he loves. Our wrongs have offended him and as a holy being he must judge sin or be a hypocrite himself and a sinner. God loves us, so he sent a mediator to do what we couldn't do.

We can't be our own mediators since our wrongs have made a barrier between us and God, so we need someone to do it. We need someone who...
   
     * Has access to God.
     * Knows God.
     * Is not in need of mediation himself.
     * Is from God.
     * Is fully man.
     * Is sinless and beyond condemnation.
     * Is not bound by death, the judgment of sin.

JESUS
Christ is the only one who qualifies. When he died on the cross he paid for the sin that kept us far from God. Jesus had no sin, so his death is sufficient for us. When he takes on our sin he offers his purity on our behalf before the judgment of God. Through the blood of his death we may have forgiveness, and the barrier between us and Our Father in Heave is taken down.

The resurrection proves Jesus is the sufficient mediator. Death had no hold over him. The judgment is satisfied or he would not return from the grave.

Jesus said: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." John 14:6.

To learn more about the way of salvation click on the tab titled, "Gospel."

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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Does The Bible Say Where Sin Came From?

Many people are confused about sin. Where did it come from and why is it here?

"The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work."  1 John. 3:8, NIV. 

At first glance this is an offensive statement, but a closer look shows a very bright and positive truth.

THE DEVIL
Sin had a beginning: the first to sin was the devil. Just why the devil turned to sin is a mystery though there are references to the event.* He has been sinning nonstop ever since. Sin is even described here as the devil's work, as in a chosen occupation.

THE ONE
Anyone who does what is sinful is someone who willfully practices sin as a habit that they have no control over. It is a lifestyle that shows your relationship to sin. There are two camps in humanity those who are Born of God, which are the people who have come to the Lord for salvation, adoption to son-ship and citizenship. The other camp is "of the devil." That does not mean they are somehow "Sons of the Devil," because he does not beget offspring rather he stole humanity from God, as told in Genesis, and many have not yet found the light of God's love and salvation.

SON OF GOD
The good news is that Jesus, the Son of God, came with a purpose, he appeared boldly and bodily to undo the work of the devil. He redeems man from bondage to the devil's camp by dying to pay for sins that keep man in bondage.  Christ's death and resurrection makes it possible for those who want to leave darkness and come to the light. His life becomes our life and through him we are able to live righteous and beautiful lives.

Let us choose wisely which camp we are in and be careful not to do the works of the other camp.

To learn more about God's plan to rescue us from the devil's came choose the "Gospel" tab above.

*Isaiah 14:12-15.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What Happened When Jesus Died on The Cross?

To some people the death of Jesus on the cross is the most important event in human history. Just what happened that makes the death of Jesus so significant?

The Bible records some events that occurred when Jesus died,

• There was darkness over the land. Mark 15:33. Luke 23:45.
• There was an earthquake. Matthew 27:51
• The tombs were opened and many righteous people returned to life. Matthew 27:52.
• The curtain of the temple was ripped in two. Mark 15:38. Matthew 27:51.

The Scriptures also records a commentary about his death by one of the witnesses, The Apostle John, when he says, "This is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:10.

FIRST
The death of Jesus was Our Father's greatest expression of his love for mankind. He did not wait for us to love him or earn his love, his love acted first. He acted for us while we were estranged, rebels, living in defiance to his authority.

SECOND
Jesus was sent. He did not come as an afterthought. His entry into mankind's history was on purpose. Before God breathed breath into Adam God knew he would send Jesus for Adam's rebellion.

THIRD
Mankind had an insurmountable problem that was a need mankind could not satisfy or meet- mankind's sin had to be paid for, mankind needed atonement. Atonement is the payment that removes the barrier between God and man. The barrier is sin.

God out of his love for us sent his son to meet the need. Jesus became the atoning sacrifice for mankind. Jesus paid for the sins of mankind and made eternal salvation available to any who receive it. Those who receive the atoning sacrifice of Christ are brought back to a relationship of love, service and fellowship with God their Creator and Savor.

CHRISTIANS
The reason so many people are passionate about Christ's death on the cross is that they are aware that they cannot save themselves from their sins and they know that God does for them what they couldn't do. Through the death of Jesus they are brought back to an eternal relationship with God.

To learn more about how you can have this relationship with God click the tab above titled The Gospel.

____________________________ 

Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What is John 3:16?

People always quote it, it is on billboards, sides of buses and some guy will hold a sign up at the big game that says "John 3:16." What is the big deal?

The John 3:16 reference is to the third chapter of the Gospel of John and the 16th verse. These are some of the words that Christ spoke to a man who was looking for Heaven. The man, Nicodemus, spent his whole life looking to have the approval and blessing of The Lord. Even though he is considered old he had yet to find satisfaction in his search for meaning, purpose, and knowledge of God. It is to this man who is seeking that Jesus says. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."  John 3:16, NIV.

This one statement makes many points.
1. God loves you.
He already loves you, it is not something that will happen after you win or earn his love. He loves you now. In saying Our Father in Heaven loves the world is a measureless love, it implies that The Lord loves the worst human being you can think of because if God loves the world he loves us all no matter how bad we are.

2. God Acts.
His love moves God to act, he is not just sitting on a cloud full of warm feelings of good will toward mankind. He sees our greatest need (salvation from sins and judgment) and acts. If God does something it is done completely, no one can or need to add to it.

3. God Gave
He gives his one and only son, Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. He gave is a past tense word, we do not need to look forward to a distant hope we have the substance in the cross of Jesus- it is done.

4. "Whoever" is an open invitation
The word whoever does not exclude any. Admittance is not earned by good deeds, payments or services, those who come do so empty handed. It is not the righteous, for none really are righteous but any who is a needy guilty seeker may come.

5. The requirement
We are only required to believe. We believe that God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins by taking our punishment upon himself and arose the third day victorious over death and judgment.

6. Shall NOT
In some circles the word "Shall" is a soft word and is used in a way that is qualified, it has become synonymous with "possibly" or "likely;" but the way it was used in the ancient language is a definite, it means absolute and with no doubt. It is a certainty that those who believe in Jesus will not face damnation

7. Eternal Life
The Lord offers eternal life to those who believe. Not life for a while but eternal life without the fear of ever ending. Not just eternal existence but eternal life, the implication is a life of activity, service, joy, blessing, peace, love, and all the good things that God built in us to desire will be satisfied.

Summery
God does it all, he loves us, he sees our need, he pays for our sin, and gives eternal life to those who will accept it.

John 3:16 is a promise made by the Holy True God who is all-powerful. He will not make a promise he can't or won't keep. To accept the promise is to accept salvation and Jesus into your life; to reject the promise is an insult to a loving God and very foolish.

To learn more about the plan of salvation click on the tab titled The Gospel above.

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.

Adron

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What is Important about Jesus?

Everybody talks about Jesus and everybody has an opinion, you hear about him all the time- but just what is so important about him?

When the apostle was teaching in the Greek cities he gave them the most important truths first. Here is what he said.

"For what I received I delivered to you as of first importance that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3, NIV.

What is First?
So what was the most important foundational truth about Jesus he could give? That he died for our sins. His death was not a tragic mistake in human history, it was not just a jealous act by the hands of resentful religious leaders, and it was not a surprise to The Lord. It was on purpose. At the very moment the Creator made man, (in fact from eternity before he made man), he knew he would have to send the son to die and take the punishment for the wrongs man did and does. Yet out of love he created man knowing he would die for his sins.

Sin had to be paid for
     * God is holy and pure; sin can have no place with him or in his heaven.
     * God could not just forgive everyone because that would be compromise and God would be condoning sin, he would be guilty of sin as guilt after the fact.
     * He could not send everyone to hell without opportunity for salvation because that would be capricious and unfair.
     * We cannot pay for our sins ourselves and ever pay enough satisfy the judgment of God who is holy.

So Our Father in Heaven being love provided a substitute. Christ took our sins upon himself and suffered our punishment for us. He could do this since he was perfect and had none of his own to pay for.

It was no secret.
The scriptures are full of prophecies describing the life and death of the Savior. The Old Testament prophecies were a source of faith and comfort to those looking forward to the birth and salvation offered by the death of Christ, just as we look back in faith on the accomplished fact. Some say there are as many as three hundred prophecies concerning Jesus life and death. It was foretold that Jesus would come and die and yet out of his great love for lost mankind he chose to obey the divine plan and give his life as an atoning sacrifice.

His part was the hard part.
Our part is the easy part; it is easy because he did the hard part for us on the cross. God asks us to believe. Jesus put it clearly when he said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."  

John 3:16.

There is no one more important than Christ; He paid for your sins and offers you eternal salvation, it is just as true for us as what Paul said to the prison jailer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." Acts 16:31.

Some people express their belief to God in a prayer something like this: Father God, I know I am a sinner and you must punish sin, I know I deserve eternal punishment for my sins. I know that you sent your Son, Jesus to, die to take my place in judgment and offer me eternal life. I declare now that I accept the promise that if I believe on the Lord Jesus I will be saved. And from this moment on I will live a life of obedience and gratitude. Thank you for forgiving me and coming into my life. Amen. 

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You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.

Adron

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Why Did God Let Jesus Die?

Since God is Jesus' father why did he let his son die on the cross? Why didn't he send angles to rescue his son on the cross?

Good questions. The fact is The Scriptures answered these questions 700 years before the crucifixion of Jesus.

In the prophecy of Isaiah it is written:
"Yet it was the Lord's will to crush him, and cause him to suffer, and through the Lord to make his life an offering for sin." Isaiah 53:10a, NIV.

The Lord had a plan to redeem mankind from sin; it was a costly plan for it meant that the most precious thing in heaven was given to pay for sin- Jesus.

Because God is just, righteous, and fair...
     * Sin had to be paid for.
     * But sinners must have an opportunity for salvation.
     * Salvation must be equally available to all.

The solution
Our Father in Heaven sent his son to be the offering for our sin, because he is also loving. It was His plan all along to provide salvation by paying the price for our sins.

It was not a token payment; God did not hold back any of the wrath of judgment mankind deserved, for the verse above says, "It was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer." Every penalty for every sin was executed upon Jesus. There is no sin ever committed by any person that was not paid for in the body and blood of Jesus.

This offering is the most unique in history for the Lord himself becomes the offering. Never was an offering so satisfactory to the requirements of God's holy standard, the evidence is that the one sacrificed returned from the grave. This proves that of all the sacrifices ever offered this one is uniquely acceptable and totally sufficient to cover sins.

Because Jesus did the required deed on our behalf salvation is available to any who believe.

The question each one of us must ask is not why did the Father leave Jesus on the cross but why do we not respond to his sacrifice with faith, love and obedience.

To learn more about how to have a salvation from your sins click on the gospel tab above.

Why Did Jesus Come?

There is a lot of confusion about the purpose of Jesus. Some say one thing and some say another. What did Jesus say?

"I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly."  John 10:10, NIV.

For Christ to say this is to say he came to be a blessing and to be a giver of life.  He came not just offer life but abundant life. Something that is abundant is full, it is more than enough, it measures to excess, and goes beyond the need.

WE NEED LIFE.
The opposite of life is death. We may be alive physically but dead spiritually. We are living and breathing, but is there more? Is this really life? Jesus's statement in John 10:10 says, "Yes, there is more and I have come to bring it."  Outside of Christ there cannot be any real life, for outside of him we are separated from the source of life.

THEY MAY HAVE LIFE
This abundant life cannot be ours without Jesus because he said, "I have come ..." He came to take away the cause of spiritual death- sin. It is the sin in our nature that have kept us from having this life.

ABUNDANTLY
Jesus offers abundant life. What did he mean?

     * It would mirror his life, a beautiful life that was full of good.
     * It would exceed anything already experienced.
     * It would transcend the physical and have a spiritual aspect.
     * It would not end with the physical it must survive death.
     * It would fulfill the desires we find deepest in our hearts.
     * A lifetime of experience would not exhaust it.
     * It would have to be eternal or else it is not abundant.
     * It would not have any boundaries, all things must be possible.

HOW DID JESUS BRING ABUNDANT LIFE?
His life was abundant and pure none found sin in him, even God the Father was pleased with him. When Jesus gave his life up on the cross it was not as a payment for any wrongs he did but as a substitution payment on our behalf for our sins; a substitution that was satisfactory since death could not hold him and he arose on the third day. All he asks is that we renounce the sins that have kept us form life and receive this salvation as a free gift.

If you are ready to experience this abundant life you must put away your sin and trust Jesus as your savior. You might express it to him in a prayer such as:

God I know I am a sinner and deserve punishment. I know Christ paid for my sins on the cross and he arose again to prove the judgment is paid. I need the salvation you offer. I turn away from my sins and receive your free gift of salvation. From this moment on I leave my old selfish life behind and will follow you as my Lord and I will live a life that says, "Thank You."

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Thank you for visiting this blog. I hope these thoughts are helpful for you.

You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.
Adron

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