Monday, March 19, 2007
Romans 3:24-25 We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.
JESUS CHRIST, OUR ATONEMENT
In order to set us right with God Jesus Christ, the God-man, became our Substitute. He fulfilled all of the Law's obligations in our place. He endured the full penalty due human guilt.
How can we state this greatest and most comforting of Bible truths in a simple way that child-like faith can hold fast to with simple trust? How can we ever begin to thank our Savior for His unfathomable love? Here is a beginning -- which is all we can ever do this side of eternity.
"I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord.
"He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sin, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.
"He did this that I should be His very own, live under Him in His kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness; even as He is risen from death, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true."
Lord Jesus, who on the cross cried out "It is finished!",
we thank You
that You completed the work which Your Father gave You to do:
You fulfilled the law of God for us.
You bore its curse in our stead.
You reconciled all people to God.
Grant that we may with our whole heart believe this
and that we may never rely upon any work or merit of our own,
but always trust in Your finished work on Calvary.
In Your saving Name we pray. Amen.
