Be Free in Jesus -- Part 574

Hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in His steps -- the one who did no sin. His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness. By whose stripes we were healed. Jesus -- who when we were as sheep going astray made a way so that we could return unto the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. (I Peter 2:21-25)

The scriptures state that we all -- like sheep -- have gone astray. Indeed, all -- each and every one of us -- have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. As a consequence, we have turned to our own ways and thus, turned away from our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ.

Nevertheless, the good news is that God -- the same God who created men and women in the beginning loved you and I so much that He wasn't going to leave His creation destitute. Without hope. Without an opportunity to experience the ultimate peace in our hearts that surpasses all understanding. The Bible specifically states "neither will He leave us comfortless."

In fact, God designed a plan of salvation for you and I before the foundations of the world were shaped. He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him before we were even formed in our mother's wombs.

That is, the Word that was in the beginning, the Word that was with God and the Word that was God according to John 1:1-14, became flesh and dwelt among us. Why? So that all of our iniquities and transgressions could be laid upon Him once and for all. Our multitude of sins and countless burdens laid upon Jesus the day He was nailed to the cross. Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords -- who was delivered for our offences was raised again for our justification.

"Before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved, in who we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; even in Him.

In whom we have obtained an inheritance.

This promise of salvation was not to Abraham, or to his seed through the law. Salvation could only be obtained through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of none effect. Why? Because the law works wrath. Rules that we cannot possibly live up to brings strife and disappointment.

But God knew that where no law exists, there can be no transgression. No guilt that we are not performing enough. How can we know?

Because Jesus paid the price of our salvation once and for all. The precious blood of Jesus was shed so that we could be planted together with Jesus. Planted in the likeness of His death so that we would also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Free from sin by the grace of Jesus who died unto sin once so that we could no longer be under the law but under grace. Being made free from sin, willingly becoming the servants of righteousness.

Therefore, salvation is by faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law but to that also which is of the faith. And being fully persuaded that what God has promised, He is able to perform. Jesus -- the great I AM -- is the same yesterday, today and forever. Stand in the offering plate.