Christ
Paid the Penalty
"For Christ also hath
once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (I Peter
3:18).
Jesus Christ was no stranger
to suffering while He was here on the earth. In spite of the fact that He had
no guilt of His own and could have politely declined all suffering if He had
chosen to do so, the facts are that He did not. The Bible says, “Though he were
a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).
The reason for His suffering
was the sins of others. He suffered for sins, but in the case of our Lord, it
was the Just for the unjust. He substituted Himself in our place and bore our
iniquities. He, who had no sin, was made sin that we who have no righteousness,
might be made righteous in the sight of God.
His sacrifice was so great
and so worthy, with such merit and perfection that for Him to die once was
enough. He suffered once for sins.
You will remember that the
sacrifices of the Old Testament were repeated from day to day and from year to
year.
Why did He make this
sacrifice? To bring us to God; to give us access to God. "But now in Christ
Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ"
(Ephesians 2:13). "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto
the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). "Having therefore, brethren, boldness
to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which
he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh"
(Hebrews 10:19,20).
Now think with me for a
moment. If the eternal Son of God was not exempt from suffering, why should
Christians be? Especially when the Bible clearly teaches: "For unto you it
is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to
suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29).
He was perfectly just and
righteous. You and I were criminals in the courts of God, having broken His
law, defied His commandments, and blasphemed His Name.
So then, let us review the
main points of this vital Bible verse: What did Christ do? He died for us and
rose again. Why did He do it? To bring us to God.
There are two reasons why
He had to bring us. First of all, we had fallen short in our own attempt.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans
3:23). Secondly, we can't make it by our own works. "For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of
works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).
So then, in light of it all,
let me ask you; have you ever turned to God in repentance and placed your trust
in Jesus Christ? Why not do it now?
This vital Bible verse is
just one of 60 carefully selected scriptures that are contained in the
Navigators Scripture Memory course. If you want to
memorize Scripture, but aren't sure what to memorize or how to get started,
this is exactly what you need. The Topical Memory System includes memory verse cards in four different Bible versions -
NIV, KJV, NASB, NKJV. Topics include all of the basics of the Christ-centered
Spirit-filled life, sharing your faith, and growing on to maturity in your walk
with God. May God bless you as you fill your life with His Word.
© Copyright 2002, LeRoy Eims