Jesus Christ is the lamb who takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). Peter adds that “he was the lamb without blemish.” (1 Peter 1:19) – Referring to being without defect, either physically or morally.[1] Sinlessness in our Lord means that He never did anything that displeased God, violated the Mosaic Law under which He lived on earth, or in any way failed to show in His life at all times the glory of God (John 8:29). It does not exclude His experiencing sinless limitations that accompany humanity. For example, He was weary (4:6); He was hungry (Matt….
Jesus Christ and the atoning work
An average person has asked: “Why can’t humanity in and out of itself meet God’s requirement for removal of sin’s penalty? The Scriptures thoroughly present all that sets Jesus’ substitutionary work apart from any other attempted works to merit salvation from sin. Therein, we find all that Jesus had to be and do in order to be the suitable and acceptable substitute for sin. The Bible teaches that Jesus was set apart before foundations of the world as a substitutionary payment for sin (Revelation 13:8). Peter discussed this truth with some detail when he wrote: For you know that it…
Why it matters that Jesus Christ suffered willingly as our substitute.
From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” (Matthew 16:21-23). Like Peter, many ask: “Why would Jesus let this happen to himself? Jesus’ answer to…
The Holy Spirit in Romans Chapter 8
The great eighth chapter of the book of Romans is the chapter of declaration of freedom, victory, and security for the believer. After expressing the reality of the personal struggle with sin and the enslaving law (Ch.7), Paul opens this chapter by highlighting the believers’ passage from sin’s condemnation to freedom in Christ. It is important to note that throughout this chapter of Romans, Paul demonstrates that all members of the Trinity are in unity as they bring a believing sinner to his/her new position. At the same time, he shows that the presence of the Godhead in a believer’s…
He Who Is Mighty Has Done Great Things
May Christmas be a reminder for God’s people to sing songs of joy and exaltation. The transcendent God has visited us in our lowliness. While our hearts marvel at the extent of God’s love, mercy and grace, our souls will proclaim this mighty deed. The world has not known any better news than that of God becoming man in order to redeem lost mankind. The Son of God took on flesh in order to die on our behalf. Jesus Christ willingly left His heavenly status and splendor and humbly identified with us. From the manger to the cross, he remained…
We can be confident that “the all-Knowing God is all-Powerful to deliver us”
Getting Encouragement from Habakkuk One of the intriguing dialogues between man and God is in the book of Habakkuk. As it opens, the book pictures prophet Habakkuk as burdened. The prophet has a personal struggle with reconciling God’s goodness and justice with the reality of evil and suffering in the world. He lodges this personal struggle as a complaint to God. Primarily, the prophet has one complaint, and it concerns Israel (Judah). Lawlessness, injustice, corruption, and oppression was thriving among God’s people (1:4). Habakkuk tries to draw God’s attention to this issue. He also inquires of God’s action plan. LORD,…
The Sin of Greed: Part 4
One can be saved from the sin of greed It is difficult to guard against that which promises to serve one’s own interests. Left unchecked, greed can be blinding because it comes with an exhilarating conquest of securing one’s own needs and wants. Greed can blind an unbeliever; it can also blind a believer. One may think that since I do not have a lot of money and wealth, I should be excused from this talk on greed. Wait a minute and be reminded that it is possible for one to be poor and still be greedy in actions and…
The sin of Greed: Part 3
Go to Part 2 Greed can breed other sins In his warning against rich people, James notes that these people did not only hoard wealth for themselves, but that in doing so they indulged in other sins (James 5:1-6). In their pursuit of wealth, they committed murder, injustice, oppression, selfishness, and corruption. In the same line, since the essence of greed is an excessive desire for more, ungratefulness, and discontentment always accompany it. In the passage, James mentions that these sins drew his audience farther from repentance, and they must now weep for their coming judgement. Just like James’ audience,…
The Sin of Greed: Part 2
Go to Part 1 The sin of greed can as well creep into a believer’s life. Believers are as well encouraged to guard against the temptation of greed. The scriptures charge that both in their personal walk and ministry, believers must distance themselves from greedy desires. Let us dig more. Greed can compromise one’s Christian walk In instructing Timothy, Paul provided an example of some people (believers?) who had abandoned the faith in their pursuit of money. He wrote: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge…
The Sin of Greed
Part 1. “Greed” is interchangeably used with “Covetousness” in some translations. In the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary it is defined as “an excessive desire to acquire more than one has, especially wealth and material possession, usually leading to inappropriate behavior”[1] [and lifestyle]. The temptation to the sin of greed may clothe itself in a variety of ways. It may come as a desire to make a name, financial and material success, find comfort, gain influence, et cetera. Going with the wording of Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:11-19, it appears that reference is made to Satan (at least in a metaphorical…