Old math, simple, yet effective. The equation 1 + 3 = 4 can also be considered addition as well. In its simplest form, is is nothing more than counting. Remember counting? When you were young, your Mom or Dad told you to hold up your hand and closed your thumb over the palm of your hand. And, while your hand was still raised, touched each finger and said one, two, three four.
It may have been a bit different for you, but that’s how I remember it. I was guided. I was taught. I learned. I saw something physically and then applied it mentally. And, then there is that graphic above; a combination of numbers and symbols- both saying something, but for the symbols on the right hand side, they are far more than mere mathematics, they are personal. Jesus was nailed to the cross and shed his blood there and the result is forgiveness of sins. That is as personal as it gets; suffering, blood and death. Why? Because it was (is) necessary because of sin. The Bible says…
Blood and sacrifice
Revelation 1 ( World English Bible )
[4] John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from God, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; [5] and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood; [6] and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
That cross, that despicable method of death was necessary because we all have sinned. And not just what we humans would consider as major sins, like murder, but even the “small stuff” like lying, cheating, stealing and the like. Jesus paid the price for ALL SINS. Yes, my sins – and I should be very, very, very grateful.
Redeemed
1 Peter 1 ( WEB )
[18] knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, [19] but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ;
Jesus was perfect and it took a perfect sacrifice to perfectly buy us back from what we have done wrong. We were redeemed, that is, bought back with a price. Ask yourself, am I worth it? I can’t answer that question, but Jesus must have thought you were because he suffered, bleed and died for you.
Baptized into his death
Romans 6 ( WEB )
[1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? [3] Or don’t you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; [6] knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. [7] For he who has died has been freed from sin.
So what do we do about Jesus? Consider the rest of the story. Jesus was buried and was resurrected the third day. Like the above passage says- We died to sin (repented of what we have done) and were buried (in the waters of baptism [where we contact his blood] and rise from that old self to live a new life. In all this we say by by our actions that we accept what Jesus has done for us and consecrate our lives to live as he directed we should.
A life of faithfulness
1 John 1 ( WEB )
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
This new life means being faithfulness to this commitment. We continue to do everything in our power to be everything Jesus wants us to be. The fact is, however, that no matter how hard we try to never, ever sin again, we will. But the good news is, if we ask for forgiveness, it will be granted. Jesus’ one sacrifice covers everything. It really does; read 1 John 1:7 again and be happy and most of all grateful.
No comments:
Post a Comment