Word@Work Romans29 - Romans 3:25-26
Published: Mon, 09/26/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE SACRIFICE OF ATONEMENT
Romans 3:25-26 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (NIV)
Most people, who know anything about Jesus Christ, understand that He died a criminal's death on a Roman execution cross. But surprisingly few people know why He died. Paul explains that it was no accident or miscarriage of justice. God intentionally offered up His Son as a sacrifice so that sinful humans could be at peace with Him. We call it atonement or 'at-one-ment'.
Justice was satisfied: the sinless Son of God was punished for our sins. The technical word is 'propitiation'. The wrath of God, against our sins, fell onto Jesus; so that God's anger no longer is directed against those who believe in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord. None of the Old Testament sacrifices could take sin away; they looked forward to what Jesus would do (Hebrews 9:23-28).
So does that mean that Jesus' death is a passport for everybody into His kingdom? No! Only those who believe that He died instead of them (propitiating God's wrath against them), will be saved. As they admit their sinfulness and seek His mercy so the benefit of Christ's death becomes theirs. But many people do not know that. So how are they to be saved? The answer is simple - we tell them! Today, think about your friends who do not know Jesus, and consider your responsibility towards them to tell them that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Your words could change their eternal destiny.
Prayer: Righteous God. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for my sin, to be punished instead of me. I am sorry when I have hurt You by being careless, not striving to live the new life and dishonouring Your sacrifice. Please help me to live in the liberty Christ has won for me, and not to be ashamed of telling the gospel to those I meet at work, on my travels and at home. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Most people, who know anything about Jesus Christ, understand that He died a criminal's death on a Roman execution cross. But surprisingly few people know why He died. Paul explains that it was no accident or miscarriage of justice. God intentionally offered up His Son as a sacrifice so that sinful humans could be at peace with Him. We call it atonement or 'at-one-ment'.
Justice was satisfied: the sinless Son of God was punished for our sins. The technical word is 'propitiation'. The wrath of God, against our sins, fell onto Jesus; so that God's anger no longer is directed against those who believe in Christ Jesus as Saviour and Lord. None of the Old Testament sacrifices could take sin away; they looked forward to what Jesus would do (Hebrews 9:23-28).
So does that mean that Jesus' death is a passport for everybody into His kingdom? No! Only those who believe that He died instead of them (propitiating God's wrath against them), will be saved. As they admit their sinfulness and seek His mercy so the benefit of Christ's death becomes theirs. But many people do not know that. So how are they to be saved? The answer is simple - we tell them! Today, think about your friends who do not know Jesus, and consider your responsibility towards them to tell them that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Your words could change their eternal destiny.
Prayer: Righteous God. Thank You for sending Jesus Christ to be the sacrifice for my sin, to be punished instead of me. I am sorry when I have hurt You by being careless, not striving to live the new life and dishonouring Your sacrifice. Please help me to live in the liberty Christ has won for me, and not to be ashamed of telling the gospel to those I meet at work, on my travels and at home. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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