Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
My thoughts this Easter are of what Jesus did for us.
The announcement of new offspring is normally a joyful occasion. However, not in the case of sin’s offspring of death. Death became the result for all mankind because of sin and it was going to take a miraculous event to overcome every aspect that death could dish out. There was no way out of death’s grasp until Jesus took on death and won. Isa. 25:8-A He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces.
The amazing thing is that Jesus single-handedly destroyed the power of death through the Crucifixion and His powerful blood that was given on our behalf. 1 Cor. 15:54 Now when this the perishable shall have put on the imperishable, and this, the mortal, shall have put on immortality, then the word having been written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where O death, is your victory? Where O death is your sting?”
It is hard to understand the depth of love that has been poured out on each one of us through Christ’s perfect self-given offering for sin. Through the finished work of the cross, God made sure death was dealt with forever. Rev. 1:18 I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. There is nothing in the universe that can compare to the infinite and total finished work that Jesus’ sacrifice brought into the deepest parts of our being when Jesus is accepted by faith.
To pass up a relationship with the Lord – and an eternal relationship at that – would be ludicrous. Who would not want to be on a first name basis with God? Jesus did that very thing for us through His sacrifice. Who would not want to be known as God’s friend? Again, Jesus did that for us. John 15:15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.
Death and corruption once had the upper hand on humanity, but after Jesus took away death’s power, fear, and destructive works, we were set free from its grasp. We can now live our lives from a position of being seated with Christ. Eph. 2:6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.
We will also live forever, but in the life and presence of God Himself. This is no small thing that Jesus accomplished for us. It is the greatest gift that will ever be known to man and will always be as fresh a gift as the first day Jesus became the Lord of our life. Rom. 8:37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. This gift will last throughout eternity, always new and revealing God’s love for us continually.
We live in a world where the wages of sin is still death. Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. However, we do not have to live under the authority of death any longer. Jesus is Lord of all and reigns over all. He has defeated death through the perfect sin offering of Himself. All authority has been given to Jesus and He is sharing the blessing of that powerful victory with us.
Thank you, Lord, for defeating death for me. It was all your work and idea, Lord God. I am forever grateful. Amen and amen.
Thank you Norm for putting these truths before us so clearly, reminding us of the extravagant love God extended to us through Jesus Christ. Oh where oh where would we be without him!
Teresa
May the anointing of the Holy Spirit be on and in you Larry. May God's words come from your heart when you minister it in His love. I pray in Jesus name, that all who hear the word misistered will be healed, cleansed, and transformed into the image of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Blessings to you. Happy Easter bro.
Yes good word. We have preached what He has saved us from for too long,without emphasising what he saved us into. My sermon for tomorrow. Peace
Love your blog Norm…
Yes and Amen.