"...and to give His life as a ransom for many." 45b.
God is Love (a). Love is a verb, an action that must be displayed or it is invalid. Love is not self-seeking (b). God so loved the people of this world that He gave His one and only Son (Jesus) (c). Jesus was not, however, a drone given away by God unto death, although He is God, Jesus was also 100% human, this gave Him free will to choose, and He chose to lay down His life and to give it as a ransom for many. God showed His love for us in this, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (d). Not waiting for us to fix our lives or to clean up our mess, nor waiting for us to build utopia here on earth, but while we were still enemies of Himself, He gave His own life for us - and this is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (e).
The Greek word for ransom (lü'-tron) means, "the payment for redeeming or setting a prisoner or slave free." The word 'for' (än-tē') means, "in place of." If you are like me you hear the word 'ransom' and think of kid-nappers who hold their victims for ransom. That is not what is meant here. To say that, we were in need of being set free, is understood, but not from a kid-napper. Christianity is not dualistic, meaning, good and evil are not coexisting eternal forces. God and Satan are not opposites as far as equality can be considered. Satan was a fallen angel, a created being by God, and cast out of heaven by God. Does Satan have power? I suppose you could say he does, but not in the sense that his power is his own, only that what he has is granted him temporarily by our Sovereign God. Anyway, all of this is to say that Satan did not take us from God and hold us captive until a payment was made. We were born in iniquity(f), slaves to our sin (g) because we were obedient to our nature, a thing we could not change on our own.
Then the question remains, to whom then was the ransom paid? The answer; to God, in order that we would be saved from the wrath of God.
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (h)
Now i ask, do you have peace with God? if you do, REJOICE!
But if you don't, understand that you don't. He is the only way to Heaven and peace with God, will you trust that His death and resurrection have paid the price? Today is the day of salvation, don't put it off.
Thank you Jesus for all that You've done for us, for me. In all that we do, be glorified.
(a) I John 4:16
(b) I Corinthians 13:5
(c) John 3:16
(d) Romans 5:8
(e) I John 4:10
(f) Psalm 51:5
(g) Romans 6:16
(h) Romans 5:9-11
Hello, it has been awhile. Lots has happened since last commented. I am wondering what has happened to your writings? You seem to have stopped.
ReplyDeleteI have been spending time with my grandchildren. Since my husband passed my children want me to spend more time with them. They do not want me to get lonely. I miss him so very much. Have been catching up on my readings, no computer when away. No time for computer when grandchildren to occupy my time.
Reading some of your last writings you have not gotten back with your young lady? I am sorry. My husband and I parted ways for a few years. We both thought someone else was out there for us. He told me not long before he passed he wished he had not looked around. He said it was wasted time. His heart always belonged to me. I could always see in his eyes his love and the last days when he could not speak, it was always there. I miss him.
So, why have you stopped your writings, teachings? You have a way with words. Find your way back to it. I will check back and keep an eye on this.
Thank you for keeping up on my writings, it has been a while hasnt it? well due to personal conviction i have stepped away for a time, but your response has encouraged me to continue. I think next i would like to walk through the book of proverbs, the Lord knows i could use the wisdom.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your loss, it really is a hard thing to deal with. Me and my ex had the opportunity to be together but God has had other plans for the two of us, i am unable to see into the future but only take it one day at a time, but im pretty sure i know a closed door when i see one. It is for the better i believe, she has her family and they seem to be doing well and this is good, better to have peace. how long were the two of you married?