Category: The Amazing New Covenant

Sonship

Sonship is the last aspect of salvation in this series of articles. It follows propitiation, redemption, justification, and reconciliation.

I define sonship as the impartation through the new birth of all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of being a child of God.

Identity

As sons we have a permanent place in the family of God.

A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. John 8:35 (NLT)

We are given our heavenly Father’s spiritual “DNA,” when we are born again by the operation of the Holy Spirit.

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. John 3:6 (NLT)

It is important that we understand that we are not God’s “step children.” We are not limited to a legal standing as family members. We are God’s children by birth.

But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12-13 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ himself, lives inside every born again child of God, enabling us to share Jesus’ own relationship with Father God.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" Romans 8:15 (NASB)
 
Access

Because of our identity as God’s children, we are able to come to him at any time for fellowship, encouragement, comfort, and strength.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

Access to our heavenly Father is not based on our recent performance, emotional state, or opinion of our worthiness. It is based solely on Christ’s own access to his Father. What belongs to him he gave to us as a free gift.

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17  For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18  No one has ever seen God. But the one and only Son is himself God and is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us. John 1:16-18 (NLT)

Jesus shares his intimacy with his Abba Father with us. When we come to the Father in Christ’s name, depending solely on his right standing, we are always welcome.

Privilege

Because of our identity and access, we can ask for anything we need, and Father God will provide.

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24  You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. John 16:23-24 (NLT)

Our heavenly Father does not resent when we ask for things. Instead, he is predisposed to bless us because he loves us so much. He is not stingy or limited in his means. This does not mean that he grants every request. As any good father, he gives us what is good for us and withholds anything that is destructive.

And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15  And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
Authority

Believers are privileged to use the authority associated with Christ’s name, which allows us to proclaim the gospel, prophesy, heal the sick, cast out demons, speak words of encouragement and correction, counsel, and to forgive sins.

Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Matthew 10:7-8 (NLT)

It is an enormous honor, privilege, and responsibility to speak in God’s name and use his authority.

The Holy Spirit backs up with power Christ’s authoritative word spoken by us.

Destiny

Our destiny as God’s children is to be in his presence and share his amazing glory, power, rule, and wealth in heaven.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

We rule and reign with Christ now in a limited capacity, but in eternity we will co-rule with our Lord in an even greater way.

If we endure hardship, we will reign with him...2 Timothy 2:12a (NLT)

The privilege of permanent access to the presence and glory of God in heaven will be an indescribable joy.

Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! John 17:24 (NLT)

 

Conclusion

Our destiny to be in God’s presence forever starts right here on earth. Paul made it his chief goal in life to know Christ.

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8  Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ... Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)

The purpose of studying and meditating upon these five salvation is to increase our awareness of what we have been given in Christ, to maximize our joy as God’s children, and to encourage our faith and boldness to grow as we represent our Lord to the world.

Knowing these things should motivate us, as it did Paul, to cast aside everything that distracts us from our grand calling as children of God and representatives of Christ because what awaits those who faithfully serve our Lord is so precious that it defies human evaluation. May we think about these things often and continually give thanks to our Lord Jesus the Messiah, to our heavenly Father, and to the glorious Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I continue to be amazed that you chose to make us your beloved children and to share your life, glory, authority, and rule with us. What a privilege it is to be loved by you. Once again I consecrate myself to you and your kingdom. Please use me for your glory. Amen.

Series – The Five Pillars of Salvation
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Reconciliation

In this series of articles, I have written about forgiveness or propitiation, redemption, and justification so far. Propitiation, appeasing God’s wrath by making a blood sacrifice, releases us from owing God a sin debt we could never repay. Redemption sets us free from the bondage sin always produces. Justification declares that we are not guilty and have been given Christ’s own righteousness in God’s eyes.

The subject of this article is reconciliation, which describes God the Father restoring us to intimacy with himself.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9  And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. 10  For since our friendship with God [reconciliation] was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11  So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has [reconciled] made us friends of God. Romans 5:8-11 (NLT)

It could be said that everything that preceded reconciliation was done in order that God’s born-again children might be restored to intimacy with him.

Reconciliation means that we have been fully accepted into God’s family and can receive the full benefits of sonship. It is a restoration of trust and a commission of responsibility.

Trust, once it is shattered, is very difficult, sometimes impossible, to restore. We can make a decision to forgive people unconditionally, without their even requesting it or showing any signs of repentance or remorse. Trust, however, can only be repaired over time, with participation from both sides of the relationship. In a sense, it is earned. As the forgiven party proves faithful, the betrayed party may wish to bring that person close in a trust relationship. I have seen marriages restored in this way. It is a beautiful thing.

Our Father God reconciles us to himself unilaterally, based on the trustworthiness of his Son, not our own proven faithfulness. Reconciliation is a gift beyond all reasonable expectations, one we could never earn or possibly deserve.

Let me give you a practical example of the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation that may help. I hope that none of my readers or listeners will ever have to do this. A grieving relative may choose to visit a jail to offer forgiveness to the murderer of a family member. This releases the offender from any debt owed to that person. Forgiveness can be very freeing to both parties, but it does not mean that the murderer is innocent or should not suffer the consequences of his crime at the hands of the state. Our personal forgiveness does not release an offender from the verdict and judgment the judicial system may hand down. Neither does it release him or her from God’s justice. In addition, forgiving such a person does not necessarily translate into inviting them over for dinner. We can forgive a completely unrepentant and untrustworthy person, but, hopefully we would never invite such a human being into our home and expose our loved ones to him or her. Astoundingly, however, when God reconciles us to himself through his Son, he opens the door of his heart and welcomes us into his family.

Reconciliation enables us to experience the wonderful depths of Father God’s love for us.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15  the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:14-19 (NLT)

Reconciliation is what gives us free access into God’s presence.

A king would not welcome an untrustworthy enemy into his throne room, but Father God welcomes us, his former enemies, into his presence.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

Paul even goes so far as to call the gospel the message of reconciliation.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 19  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (NLT)

God’s willingness to reconcile with his former enemies is perhaps the most wonderful and amazing aspect of the gospel. It should make us eternally thankful and should never be taken for granted.

Being God’s friend and part of his family is the highest honor and greatest privilege imaginable.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for sending your son to die for me to release me from the debt of my sin, making it possible for me to reconciled to you. Thank you for including me in your eternal family and privileging me to freely enter your presence. I am forever grateful. Amen.

Series – The Five Pillars of Salvation
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Justification

Forgiveness is an amazing blessing, but justification may be even better.  Forgiveness might be the easiest to understand of the five aspects of our great salvation, but justification is probably the least understood. Many believers say they believe they are justified in God’s sight, but their manner of life betrays ignorance or unbelief. What is it about justification that lends itself to being misunderstood?

Justification is a legal word that might be best translated “made right with God.” In fact, the New Living Translation does this for us.

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith [literally:justified], we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)

Justification is a judicial declaration of innocence before God at judgment, a reverberating “not guilty” verdict.

Through justification God the Father fully includes us in Christ’s right standing before him that was earned through a life of perfect obedience all the way to death on the cross.

Justification is the result of an exchange whereby our sins and guilt fell upon Christ and his perfect right standing with the Father was given to us.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)

The stark reality is that Jesus assumed the guilt and punishment for our sin to the degree that he actually “became” sin. For a short time, Jesus’ identify changed from being the Son in whom the Father was well pleased into sin itself. That is about the best I can understand this mystery.

Think of justification as a sort of witness protection program. God gives us a new identity in Christ.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 (NASB)

Our old identity as a inveterate rebel and enemy of God was removed. Our new identify has no record of past sins, criminal activity, convictions, or punishment. Our new identity states that we have lived with unblemished obedience to God.

This is difficult for us to believe because we are well aware of our many faults, which continue to this day. We may find it believable that our past sins have been erased, but what about the ones I may commit today or tomorrow? Are they too expunged? Do I have a “free pass” to sin at will from now on? This is where many people stop believing in justification and slip back into a works mentality, thinking that past sins have been erased, but not current or future ones. In fact, during the Middle Ages, people would sometimes wait until being near death to be water baptized, thinking it would give them a clean slate when they faced God.

What most people have not considered is that God is not restricted by time. All our sins were in the future when Jesus died on the cross. His “once for all” sacrifice took care of the sin problem past, present, and future.

It reached back into time to provide forgiveness for those who died in faith under the Old Covenant, such as Abraham and King David. It also reaches far into the future to provide eternal forgiveness to those not yet even born.

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. 11  Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12  But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13  There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14  For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:10-14 (NLT)

We do not need a new sacrifice for our new sins. Christ’s one death on the cross solved the sin problem forever. God saw all our sins before we ever committed one of them. Nothing we do surprises God. Nothing is outside the scope of Christ’s once for all time sacrifice.

Verse 14 distinguishes between justification and sanctification or transformation. Our faith in the finished work of Christ permanently justified us, but we are being transformed on a daily basis by the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, those of us who have been declared not guilty and right with God still have areas that need to be changed. Our thought life and behavior are not perfect yet, even though we have been declared perfect before God. This is part of the reason why justification is misunderstood and rejected.

Our ongoing failure to live up to our new identity in Christ through the new birth does not nullify the truth of justification. Our imperfection reveals the need for God’s grace to transform us on a daily basis so that we can behave in alignment with our new identity.

Transformation will continue until we die or Jesus returns, at which time the sanctification process will conclude. The final installment of our great salvation will be glorification, when we receive new resurrection bodies. When that happens the old internal sin factory that fights against our spirit man will no longer exist, because nothing in us will have a link to the curse associated with Adam’s sin. In the meantime…

Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33 (ESV)

Some people say that to be justified is to be “just as if I’d” never sinned. This is a helpful mnemonic device, but it falls short.

Justification does not merely restore us to a place of innocence. Rather, it gives to us the righteousness of Christ, who was perfectly obedient unto death.

When Abba Father looks at us, he does not see a forgiven sinner; rather, he includes us in the perfect righteousness of his Son. We are “in Christ,” so whatever he has, we have.

The practical results of justification is that we are released from condemnation, shame, and guilt.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 (NLT)

Very few followers of Christ believe this verse, but it is corroborated by Jesus’ own words.

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NLT)

The reason some people do not fully accept justification is that it seems too good to be true.

Paul, who fully grasped the import of this doctrine, was accused of saying that it gave people a license to sin without fear of consequences. (Romans 3:8; 6:1,15)

The idea that justification gives us a pass to commit sin is based on the false assumption that justification is not accompanied by the new birth.

The new birth gives us a newly created spirit that is in perfect harmony with God’s will. Justified people do not want to sin at the spirit level of their being.

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18  Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19  They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20  But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21  Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22  throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24  Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:17-24 (NLT)

The battle is between the justified spirit and our residual “flesh,” which is still connected to the old creation through the unresurrected body. This is why we are in need of transformation as we await the resurrection.

While born again children of God will not be condemned for acquiescing to the old sinful man within, we can expect to be disciplined, as any good parent provides for disobedient children for their own good.

This is no light thing. In addition, our future reward in heaven will be tied to how we cooperate with the Spirit in the transformation process.

Justification is the secret to walking in the Spirit. When we understand that we already live in the Spirit, it gives us the faith that we are able to walk out our new identity as part of the transformation process.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (ESV)

Justification releases us from the impossible task of trying to be perfect. It gives us the freedom to approach God in our current “imperfection” because we know that God sees us as being perfect in Christ.

When we sin, we know we are not condemned for it, even though we need to repent and turn away from it. Understanding and believing the truth of justification is a big key to experiencing a joyful life as a Christian. Far too many people miss out on it. How about you? Do you believe justification is real? Do you live in its glorious freedom?

Prayer

Father God, thank you for sending your Son to die for my sin and guilt. I accept his right standing with you as a free gift. Thank you that you love me as your child and I will never be condemned by you. Help me to live in the freedom and joy of that reality. Holy Spirit, I submit myself to you and the ongoing process you began in my life to make me more like Jesus. Help me to walk in obedience and dependence upon you every day. I thank you that your grace is sufficient for every challenge I will face. Amen.

Series – The Five Pillars of Salvation
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Redemption

Not only do we desperately need to be forgiven; we also need to be bought back and set free from what holds us captive, which is called redemption.

I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” 23  Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done this wondrous thing. Shout for joy, O depths of the earth! Break into song, O mountains and forests and every tree! For the LORD has redeemed Jacob and is glorified in Israel. Isaiah 44:22-23 (NLT)

In the Bible, to redeem means to buy back from slavery in order to set free.

Sin was the means that Satan used to enslave us. He used our transgression against God to strip us of our legal rights and make us slaves. Thankfully, Christ used his authority and power to liberate us from bondage to sin and the devil. He is the great Liberator.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, Luke 4:18 (ESV)

Sin is not only something we do; it is also a power within us that generates evil and rebellion against God.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22  I love God’s law with all my heart. 23  But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24  Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)

Everyone comes into the world with a propensity to sin. It is what the Bible calls the “old man” because it is the inherited part of us connected to Adam and his fall from grace. The more God’s righteous Law prohibiting us from sinning, the stronger the urge in us becomes to violate that law. (Romans 7:8) The is called the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) . Paul the apostle understood the power of sin very well. Anyone who seriously attempts to live in obedience to God’s commands will discover the same.

This is what Paul wrote from his own experience.

I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:21–25 (NLT)

When Jesus died and rose again, he broke the power of sin to rule our lives.

When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11  So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. 12  Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:10-14 (NLT)

The part of us that is drawn to sin was not annihilated, but it lost its power to rule us.

According to the Bible, every born again believer has been set free from all that enslaved us, whether or not he or she has yet to fully experience that reality.

Sin is a many-faceted oppressor. The wages of sin is death in all its forms, which appear as physical death, sickness, legalism, dead religious traditions, racism, demonic oppression, addictions, generational sins, etc. Christ paid the price to set us free from all these things.

With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Hebrews 9:12 (NLT)

After being forgiven, we enter into a process called “sanctification” or “transformation,” which lasts for the rest of our lives here on earth. The Holy Spirit works within each believer to transform us into Christ’s image.

God wants us to experience freedom from everything that holds us in bondage. He already paid the redemption price.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33  “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35  A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36  So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:31-36 (NLT)

There is much to say about how God sets us free. He wants us to be delivered to lies we believe that create internal bondage. He also wants us to learn how to live in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, rather than attempt to serve him in our own strength. The process of being set free and learning to live each day by grace takes a lifetime. If you want to read more about how God sets people free, click here.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for redeeming me and setting me free. I want to experience this freedom in a greater way. I give you all the areas of my life in which I still need to experience this freedom. (List these things before the Lord.) Holy Spirit, guide me into freedom. Amen.

Series – The Five Pillars of Salvation
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Propitiation

Propitiation is the first aspect of our great salvation. A mountain range can be viewed from several vantage points, each one providing a unique view of the same group of mountains. What Jesus accomplished through his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and coming return is and will be so spectacular and comprehensive that it cannot be contained in a single Bible idea or word. Therefore, I have divided it into five aspects or parts. 

Under the New Covenant, we use the word “salvation” to describe in general what our Lord accomplished on our behalf, but the meaning of that word is so broad that important details can be lost. When my eyes were first opened to Christ’s lordship and I was born again, I did not understand all of what I will share in the following teachings in this series. We don’t have to understand everything in order to benefit from it. Our bodies’ immune systems work whether we understand how or not, but, when we gain understanding, it makes us appreciate God’s genius. If I were told that someone gave me a gift, I would be grateful, but if I later discovered that the gift was far more magnificent than I would have ever dreamed, then my appreciation would skyrocket. Over the years, as I have grown in understanding of what the Bible calls our “great salvation,” I have gained more and more appreciation for Jesus and what he did for us.

The teachings in this series are intended to increase our understanding, appreciation, and faith in what God accomplished on our behalf through Christ.

Propitiation or Atonement

Most people think of forgiveness as the essence of salvation. It is certainly the beginning, the first step toward the ultimate goal. Rather than settle for that familiar word, however, I choose to use another theological concept – propitiation. God’s is justly full of wrath because of our betrayal of him. He lovingly created us, provided everything we would ever need, sustains us every moment, and desires a relationship with him built on mutual trust. He designed us to be dependent upon him in the best sort of way. Satan spoiled everything by leading Adam and Eve to throw all of that away in pursuit of a godless self-directed life. Basically, the turned their backs on God and followed Satan, God’s worst enemy. Sin entered our lives, separating us from God and condemning us to an eternity outside of his love and presence. We were lost, without God, and without hope. In that situation, God sent his Son, our Lord Jesus the Messiah, to come as God’s Lamb to take our condemnation and punishment upon himself by dying for our sins. Once God’s righteous anger against our sin was satisfied, he was able to forgive us of our previously unpayable debt. This entire process is called propitiation.

Propitiation is the satisfaction of God’s wrath by making a blood sacrifice.

It is what Jesus did on the cross to appease the terrible wrath of God against sin. The result of Christ’s sacrifice is that all who place their trust in him are made right (or “at one” – at-one-ment) with God and forgiven.

For some moderns, this sounds barbaric and out of sync with current ideas of a loving God. Some attempt to make a distinction between the “angry,” “violent” God of the Old Testament and the “forgiving” God represented by Jesus. But this overlooks the violence and blood letting that took place on Good Friday.

God can only be merciful to us because Jesus absorbed God’s wrath by taking upon himself our guilt and punishment.

All the Old Covenant sacrifices painted a picture of what was to come and were a temporary means of delaying God’s wrath until the appointed day when God’s Lamb would be sacrificed.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26  for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26 (NLT)

Just as John the Baptist announced, Jesus was / is the Lamb of God who took / takes away the sins of the world through shedding his blood on our behalf. Without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness.

...without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22b (NASB95)

Those who discount or dismiss the concept of propitiation, show that they neither understand God’s holiness nor the horror of sin.

Sin is an affront to the character and being of God – a slap in his face. God has a holy and just wrath against sin and the blasphemous rebellion that began in the garden and continues to this day.

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (ESV)

Faith in his atoning death is our only means of escape from God’s just wrath. There is no other way to be restored to the Father (John 14:6), and no other way to be saved (Acts 4:12) By suffering as an innocent Lamb, Jesus propitiated (appeased) God’s wrath, the first step in allowing us to be restored to a right relationship with Him. Every other aspect of our salvation hinges upon Jesus’ obtaining forgiveness for us.

I have heard people say that God forgives us because that is “his job.” No it is not. God is just. He cannot simply forgive. A price has to be paid. Never take for granted the enormity of the cost for us to be forgiven!

I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross… Here I am to Worship by Michael W. Smith

Prayer

Father God, I see now that I need to receive what Jesus did for me. Thank you, Lord, for laying down your life as a sacrifice for my sins. I joyfully accept that payment made in my behalf to wash away the stain and guilt of my sins. I surrender my life to you, knowing that such a loving Savior can be trusted in all things. Amen.

Series – The Five Pillars of Salvation
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The Hidden Message in Jacob’s Deception

Most Christians who know anything about the Bible are probably familiar with the account in Genesis when Jacob stole his brother Esau’s blessing by deceiving his father. (Genesis 27 – I recommend you read this chapter to familiarize yourself with the details.) Jacob has always been one of my favorite characters, not because I think he was a great guy, but because, if God can love and use him, there is hope for us all. He was a deceiver, a conniver, and a schemer. He was not overly courageous, nor a man of great faith; yet, God loved him and made him part of the chain that began with Abraham that launched a nation and ushered in the Messiah and the New Covenant.

What can we learn from Jacob’s deception? Most of what happened was anything but recommended behavior. God had previously spoken to Rebecca (Genesis 25:23) that Jacob would rule over his elder brother, Esau, but Isaac loved Esau better for very human reasons and planned to give him the double portion blessing that ordinarily would go to the elder brother. Apparently Isaac did not highly regard the previous prophecy about Jacob having the rule, maybe because women were not regarded as highly then by many, or maybe Rebecca had not told him, or maybe he did not greatly fear the Lord in this matter, if he did know about it. He went with his natural instincts instead. Rebecca, however, did remember what God had said, and she preferred Jacob over Esau. Instead of quietly approaching her husband to remind him of what God had already spoken, she determined to deceive her husband instead. Perhaps she knew that Isaac would not change his mind. We left in the dark. Regardless, nowhere does the Bible suggest that Rebecca illustrated the kind of behavior we should imitate. Rather, what happened serves as a cautionary tale. The results of her actions split the family apart, but it did accomplish God’s will to bless Jacob. (Romans 8:28 – God works all things together for good.)

One can feel the tension in the air as Jacob brought the delicious meal to his father that his mother had prepared. Since Isaac was blind, he had to rely on his senses of smell, touch, and hearing. Apparently he did not rely heavily on spiritual discernment. The voice was Jacob’s but because he was wearing Esau’s clothing, the deception worked. Despite his misgivings, Isaac gave the younger son the elder brother’s blessing. When Esau found out what happened, he was enraged and determined to kill his brother. So Jacob was sent far away to find a bride and his destiny. He never saw his mother again, but his great adventure had begun. He would one day return a humbled, wealthy, and changed man. Esau got over his rage and they were later reconciled. The story ends well.

One of the basic principles for understanding Scripture is that everything points to Jesus. (Luke 24:27) Such a pivotal story as the one we just summarized tells us much about Jesus and how we receive the blessings of the New Covenant. But the beauty is hidden from plain sight. Paul tells us to “clothe” ourselves with Christ. (Romans 13:14, Ephesians 4:24) Isaiah prophesied that the New Covenant would allow us to don “garments of salvation.” (Isaiah 61:10) The New Covenant reveals that when we put our faith and allegiance in Christ, Father God “imputes” or gives Christ’s right relationship with himself to us. This is called justification. The Spirit of the Son (the Holy Spirit) unites with our spirits, giving us the same relationship with Abba that Jesus has, minus the divinity, or course. (Romans 8:15-16)

In other words, the new birth gives us Christ’s clothes, so to speak. To refer back to the Jacob story, we receive the elder brother’s blessing because we are wearing his clothes. But in our case, the Father is not deceived. It was his plan all along, and Jesus is not resentful, as was Esau. He gladly distributes his never ending blessing.

So the next time you read Genesis 27, keep in mind the rest of the story. And if you have never asked the Father to clothe you with Christ’s righteous clothing, do so now. Do not miss out on the blessing.

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Can you perceive the new thing God is doing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)

Some wise person once said that the enemy of the new thing God is doing is the beneficiary of the last move of God. Jesus said the same thing using the analogy of wineskins.

And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38  But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39  And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” Luke 5:37-39 (ESV)

Human pride is at the root of this phenomenon. We cannot imagine God doing something different than what we have experienced. We tend to limit God by what we have known. May God’s Spirit open our hearts to new possibilities.

God is doing something new on the earth and in our nation. We have watched Satan and his servants unfold their plot to destroy America using deception, intimidation, and the familiar trio of stealing, killing, and destroying. Many in the Body of Christ cannot imagine something different, being convinced that we are under God’s judgment for our many sins. But what if the time of reaping judgment is ending? What if God is about to do something new and altogether different? What if God is preparing to bring down the strongholds of darkness in this nation and globally, bringing evil to justice? Would we perceive it? Would we believe it? Could we receive it?

After three years of no rain, Elijah the prophet informed the wicked King Ahab that judgment was ending and rain was on the way. It had not rained in so long that many could not believe that it would. Elijah prayed fervently until he saw the first puff of a cloud. That was all it took for him because he believed what he perceived. He expected the blessing. He knew that rain was on the way.

Many in this country have been praying fervently for God to save our nation from the evil that currently holds sway. Help is on the way. God is doing something new. Now it is appearing, even if faintly at this point. Can you see it? Can you believe it? Will you receive it?

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