Man of God, 7

 

~ Sacrificial ~

 

Series Introduction ~ As you consider each of the characteristics of a person of God it would be wise to examine yourself to see how you measure up.

 

Scripture ~ Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:11-17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

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Christ’s Sacrifice, 3of3

~ Traits of The Greatest Sacrifice In History ~

Jesus Christ, The Messiah, shed His own blood for a substitutionary payment for mankind’s sin.  His payment must however be accepted and received for it to be of any value to any individual.  Consider some characteristics of that greatest of all sacrifices:

Salvation Is Undeserved  ~  “For by grace [unmerited favor] you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.  …  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:14, 17). 

His Saving Ability Is Not Limited  ~  “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). 

His Saving Ability Is The Only Way  ~  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6). 

His Saving Ability Is Still Available  ~  “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b).  “And the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not strive with man forever’” (Gen 6:3a)

His Salvation Offer Will Be Withdrawn  ~  “Then He [Jesus Christ] said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.  …  I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed: the one will be taken and the other will be left.  Two women will be grinding together: the one will be taken and the other left.  Two men will be in the field: the one will be taken and the other left’” (Luke 17:22, 34-36).

The Bottom Line  ~  Christ Jesus—the only One who ever lived a perfect sinless life—is the only possible provision for paying the price of our sins.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christ’s Sacrifice, 2of3

~ Christ’s Sacrifice On Our Behalf—As Seen In The Old Testament ~

Throughout the Old Testament we see a foreshadowing of the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ—The Messiah—in many different ways.  Here are just a small sampling of some of the most obvious examples:

Adam & Eve  ~  Animals were slain to cover Adam and Eve.

Abraham & Isaac  ~  A lamb in the brush was a substitute for Isaac. 

Joseph & His Brothers  ~  We find his own brethren sacrificed Joseph.  God used it so he could save his family and nation.

Israelis & The Passover  ~  The marking door posts with the blood of a slain lamb allowed the saving of the firstborn sons. 

Israelis & Sin Offerings  ~  The blood shed by animals was a substitute atonement for their sin. 

The High Priest & The Holy of Holies  ~  Once a year the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer a substitute offering of atonement for their sins. 

The Prophets & Their Prophecies  ~  “Surely He [Jesus Christ—The Messiah] has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6). 

The Bottom Line  ~  The Son of God became the Son of Man so that the sons of men could become sons of God.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .