Post by forgiven on Mar 23, 2005 5:27:22 GMT -5
The Words of Our Faith
Hebrews 4:14-15
Many Christians say their sins are forgiven without understanding what that
truly means. God carefully arranged the sacrifice of His Son in order to provide
for our freedom from His wrath and our growth in His love. Here are some
definitions to help you understand so great a salvation. (Hebrews 2:3)
Redemption. To redeem something means to provide payment for it-Jesus liberated
us through His sacrifice. He paid the penalty for all of our sins, for all time,
for all of humanity.
Forgiven. Forgiveness is the removal of a burden. At the cross, our guilt burden
and our punishment were borne by Jesus Christ.
Justification. God declares us no longer guilty because our sin burden has been
removed. In its place, He bestows righteousness.
Reconciliation. When enemies are brought into fellowship, they are reconciled.
Our sinful nature makes us enemies of a holy God, but because Jesus' sacrifice
brings us justification, we are reconciled to our Father.
Sanctification. As the Holy Spirit in us works to "reprogram" our fleshly
patterns of thinking, we become increasingly free from the presence of sin in
our life. God polishes our jagged edges until we each become a shining jewel.
Access. Before Jesus, only the High Priest could enter God's presence in the
Holy of Holies. But the Savior's death tore the veil shielding the Holy of
Holies in the temple. With that symbolic gesture, God announced that we are all
free to enter His presence because of Jesus' sacrifice.
The more we understand about what was involved in Christ's sacrifice and the
gift of salvation, the more grateful we should be.
Charles Stanley
Hebrews 4:14-15
Many Christians say their sins are forgiven without understanding what that
truly means. God carefully arranged the sacrifice of His Son in order to provide
for our freedom from His wrath and our growth in His love. Here are some
definitions to help you understand so great a salvation. (Hebrews 2:3)
Redemption. To redeem something means to provide payment for it-Jesus liberated
us through His sacrifice. He paid the penalty for all of our sins, for all time,
for all of humanity.
Forgiven. Forgiveness is the removal of a burden. At the cross, our guilt burden
and our punishment were borne by Jesus Christ.
Justification. God declares us no longer guilty because our sin burden has been
removed. In its place, He bestows righteousness.
Reconciliation. When enemies are brought into fellowship, they are reconciled.
Our sinful nature makes us enemies of a holy God, but because Jesus' sacrifice
brings us justification, we are reconciled to our Father.
Sanctification. As the Holy Spirit in us works to "reprogram" our fleshly
patterns of thinking, we become increasingly free from the presence of sin in
our life. God polishes our jagged edges until we each become a shining jewel.
Access. Before Jesus, only the High Priest could enter God's presence in the
Holy of Holies. But the Savior's death tore the veil shielding the Holy of
Holies in the temple. With that symbolic gesture, God announced that we are all
free to enter His presence because of Jesus' sacrifice.
The more we understand about what was involved in Christ's sacrifice and the
gift of salvation, the more grateful we should be.
Charles Stanley