Christ Bore my sin on the Cross (1 Peter 2:23-24)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 01-01-04

 

My Worship Time                                             Focus:  Christ bore my sins on the cross

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  1Peter 2:23-24

 

            Message of the verse:  “24 Who 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 ye were healed.”  (AV)  “24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”  (NIV)

            In verses 21-23 Peter writes about Jesus being our example when we as believers go through suffering, however in verse 24 Peter writes about Jesus being our Saviour.  When Jesus died on the cross He bore in Himself our sins, the sins of everyone who will believe on Him for salvation.  Now the result of this for those who believe on Him for salvation is that they die to sins and live unto righteousness because His wounds spiritually heal us.  This is called substitutionary atonement.  In Romans 6:1-11 Paul deals with the issue of dying to sin.  Isaiah 53 speaks about Jesus Christ being the suffering servant.  Total physical healing comes when we go to be with the Lord Jesus Christ at the Rapture of the Church. 

 

            Spiritual Meaning for my life Today:  In this verse lies the heart of the Gospel, which is substitutionary atonement, Jesus Christ the just dying for me the unjust, Jesus Christ the sinless Son of God becoming sin so the I, a sinful human being can become sinless in the sight of God, become righteous.  Not only is the heart of the Gospel in this verse but also the heart of God can be seen in this verse.  Just because God has this perfect love for me His holiness demanded justice for my sins.  His wonderful love is demonstrated through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, and because of that I am free to love Him in return and love others with this Agape love that Christ fills me with.

 

The Word of God has been very refreshing to me as I thought about it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  God has been dealing with me for some time to be available to Him each day for His cause.  He has shown me that if I have the same availability as Balaam’s donkey, and also the donkey that the Lord rode into Jerusalem on.  Both of these donkeys were available to be use of the Lord without any complaints, in fact it seems to me that they were eager to be used of the Lord.  Isaiah was also eager to be used of the Lord, and I want to have this attitude too.