JULY 7
THE ATONING SACRIFICE
1 John 2:1-2
1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (WEB)
The Apostle John begins chapter two of this letter by calling his readers 'My little children.’ He shows a father's heart for those he writes to, and it is his desire that they would not sin. Although all of our sins (past, present, and future) are taken care of by the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the effects of our sinful choices can still hurt us.
While we are freed from the power of sin and fully forgiven by Jesus' blood shed on the cross, we still have the ability within our bodies to be caught in sinful actions and mindsets. John reminds his dear children that if anyone sins, they have an Advocate with the Father, whose name is Jesus Christ. So even though we sin, no condemnation awaits us because we are in Jesus (Romans 8:1).
It's amazing to realize that Jesus paid the ultimate price with His own life as a sin offering not only for those who would accept Him but also for those who would reject Him. As John says, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, not only for ours but for the whole world. (WEB) It blows my mind to think that Jesus died to forgive the sins of EVERY person. Whether people accept salvation or not, the shed blood of Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for all sin.
Does that mean everyone is going to heaven? Unfortunately, no. While the price for our sins has already been paid, we still need to accept this gift through faith in the finished work of Christ. We need to receive what has already been done on our behalf to enjoy its benefits. Simply put, if I offer you a gift, you must accept it to enjoy it. If you don't accept it, it is not yours until you do.
That's why believers everywhere must share the good news! God isn't counting people's sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). All we need to do is believe it's true and, through faith, accept Jesus' life in exchange for our own.
My prayer today is that every believer will be convinced that all of their sins—past, present, and future—are dealt with on the cross. I pray that this revelation will eliminate every hint of guilt and shame in our lives. May the fact that we are completely and eternally forgiven lead us to confidently share with others that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for their sins, as well!
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (WEB)
1 My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. 2 And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. (WEB)
The Apostle John begins chapter two of this letter by calling his readers 'My little children.’ He shows a father's heart for those he writes to, and it is his desire that they would not sin. Although all of our sins (past, present, and future) are taken care of by the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the effects of our sinful choices can still hurt us.
While we are freed from the power of sin and fully forgiven by Jesus' blood shed on the cross, we still have the ability within our bodies to be caught in sinful actions and mindsets. John reminds his dear children that if anyone sins, they have an Advocate with the Father, whose name is Jesus Christ. So even though we sin, no condemnation awaits us because we are in Jesus (Romans 8:1).
It's amazing to realize that Jesus paid the ultimate price with His own life as a sin offering not only for those who would accept Him but also for those who would reject Him. As John says, He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, not only for ours but for the whole world. (WEB) It blows my mind to think that Jesus died to forgive the sins of EVERY person. Whether people accept salvation or not, the shed blood of Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for all sin.
Does that mean everyone is going to heaven? Unfortunately, no. While the price for our sins has already been paid, we still need to accept this gift through faith in the finished work of Christ. We need to receive what has already been done on our behalf to enjoy its benefits. Simply put, if I offer you a gift, you must accept it to enjoy it. If you don't accept it, it is not yours until you do.
That's why believers everywhere must share the good news! God isn't counting people's sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). All we need to do is believe it's true and, through faith, accept Jesus' life in exchange for our own.
My prayer today is that every believer will be convinced that all of their sins—past, present, and future—are dealt with on the cross. I pray that this revelation will eliminate every hint of guilt and shame in our lives. May the fact that we are completely and eternally forgiven lead us to confidently share with others that Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for their sins, as well!
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation;19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation.20 We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (WEB)