“So
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for
him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Hebrews 9:28
KJV).
That
living could come from dying is one of the most remarkable facts of the
creating, birthing and the sustaining of all life as we know and understand it.
Yet in the rebirthing of new life …
other nurturing facets towards life are required as well. Something happens in death that gives life …
vital release of elements to birth and sustain new life.
Upon
the cross as death demands the payment for the sins of each of us … a death
occurs that conquers all sin for all time.
In the resurrection … the birth of new life begins for previously hopelessly
dead. We are released by Christ from sin to be reborn to live now and forever
(John 3).
In
baptism we participate in the death, resurrection and new life that Jesus secures
and freely gives in grace (Romans 6). It is in the death of Christ that life
comes for all who believe and follow.
Thus it is in the dying of Christ that we are reborn and by His Holy
Spirit that we be regenerated into a sustained and totally new life. This new life comes to those who believe and
follow because of the kindness and love of God.
It is the greatest gift, the world has ever seen. If you are seeking, open your heart to receive
this gift of life from death and if you have been received this new life …
rejoice in the gift you have been given.
“Once
we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became
slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil
and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us
his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but
because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through
the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what
Jesus Christ our Savior did. He declared us not guilty because of his great
kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life” (Titus 3:3-8).
Scripture
readings Hebrews 2 & Hebrews 9
No comments:
Post a Comment