Tag: atoning sacrifice
The richness of His Mercy!
Scripture reading for August 26th: Ephesians 2, Psalm 20, Proverbs 16
Key Scriptures: Ephesians 2:4-9 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.”
Paul shared with the Ephesians the richness of God’s heart of mercy and the gift of His grace through His amazing love for us as sinners. He forgave our sins through Christ’s sacrifice and then raised us up with Christ, seating us in the heavenly realms in Him. We can claim no merit or credit for these gifts. All boasting is in God’s great grace and mercy and love!
Faith Confession: I boast in God’s mercy shown me (and the world) in Christ Jesus. I repent (turn away) from my sins and I accept with thanksgiving the gift of forgiveness of my sins, eternal life and resurrection from death.
Proverbs 16:6-7 “By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.”
Dear Friends!
Scripture reading for November 23rd: 1st John 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st John 4:7-11 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but the He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
“Dear friends” is the term of endearment used by the elder John to address members of Christ’s Church that he was writing to. His emphasis was on love as a fruit of the Spirit and a conscious choice of believers to develop. God, Himself, is Love therefore His children must reflect His basic nature. He sent His Son into the world to show us what real love looked like–laying our life down for others! Anyone not showing love and growing in expression does not know God.
Observations for over-comers: Members of Christ’s body are to show love as a conscious decision and fruit of His Spirit. “Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared and honored His Name.” (Malachi 3:16)
Knowing Jesus and obeying!
Scripture reading for December 1st: 1st John 2:1-17
Are you truly saved? How does a person know that they have passed from death to life? Is salvation as simple as just saying a prayer and putting your trust in Jesus Christ? Does God require us to change our way of living? These questions were on the mind of John as he wrote to the churches receiving his ministry letter. John wanted them to understand that salvation was receiving the life of Jesus and living as He lived!
Thank God for the grace of God coming through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ! “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1st John 2:1-2) Jesus paid the price to free us from our sins and their power. We should seek to live free from sin and not sin willfully or knowingly.
“We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” (1st John 2:3-6) John plainly states what James stated, “In the same way, faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) When we truly know Jesus and love Him, we will listen to His word and obey. We do not obey to obtain salvation, but because we have been transformed already by repentance and faith in Christ! This change brings a new way to live and walk. If we don’t have a changed walk, we really haven’t known Jesus!
When we love God, the love of the world must be put to death. We cannot continue to live as we did when controlled by our flesh. “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1st John 2:17) Why not take time to examine your walk with Jesus in light of these scriptures?