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Is God Good, Or, Does He Have Evil Intent?

Whether we realize it yet or not, many of us who are authentic believers, have the erroneous idea that God is somehow against us. Could this be so?

TO PONDER:

Question #1: If in fact you do not think God is for you (in your favor), but rather against you, how do you think you’ve been able to protect yourself from Him for all these years?

Question #2: If God didn’t have goodwill toward us, then why would He have created us in His very image and for His very pleasure? (Read Genesis 1:24-31; Rev. 4:11.) We are His only creatures who have this superior and yet fearful distinction in relation to the rest of His creation (Psalms 139:14).

Question #3: Why would God have gone to such great lengths to redeem you out of your sin into His glorious kingdom if He didn’t love you? Consider Romans 8:31-32: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be FOR US, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

THE GOD OF GOODNESS

Do you desire to know God and His nature deeper?

It could certainly be stated that the very first attribute of God, if there were an order, would have to be His goodness. The initial attribute that the sinner encounters is God’s goodness. Have you ever pondered deeply the fact that He chose to create you, and if He hadn’t of, you wouldn’t even exist (be a consciously and eternally existent soul)?

“Thou art GOOD, and DOEST GOOD; teach me thy statutes.” Psalms 119:68

“The earth is full of the GOODNESS of the LORD.” Psalms 33:5

“The GOODNESS of God endureth continually.” Psalms 52:1

“Behold therefore the GOODNESS and severity of God…” (Romans 11:22). One of the two divine attributes we are instructed to “behold” here, is His “goodness.” The English word “goodness” comes from the Greek word CHRESTOTES which means gentleness, goodness, kindness. The word “Good” in the NT denotes virtue or righteousness in the sense of what is upright; goodwill as expressed in the kindness of heart or act; easy. CHRESTOTES signifies not merely goodness as a quality, rather it is goodness in action, goodness expressing itself in deeds.

REDEMPTION GOODNESS: The life of Jesus was the price that the Father paid to manifest to us His forgiveness: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” 2 Corinthians 5:19

Obviously the cross of Christ was the ultimate expression of divine goodness expressed to mankind. It was the great exchange, where God took man’s place in paying the ultimate price to judge sin once and for all…“It is finished” (John 19:30). At the cross, mercy and goodness triumphed over judgment (James 2:13; Rom. 2:4; Heb. 2:9; 4:16; 10:17; Jn 3:16…Tit. 3:3).

In fact, the apostles John and Paul wrote to inform us that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us is how we understand how much He loves us:

“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…” 1 John 3:16

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

“But God commendeth (displayed, exhibited) his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

When we deserved His wrath, it was God’s goodness which led us to repentance. Check this out:

“Or despiseth thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” Romans 2:4

We Are Called to Experience His Love

“O taste (experience) and see that the LORD is good…” Psalms 34:8

Our heavenly Father looks on us with joy and designs pleasure for us now and forever. “Taste” means experience. As the objects of His love, we are to experience His goodness. Whenever we are fearful, hurting, downhearted, or just empty in our hearts, we should remember that in the presence of the Savior is fullness, wholeness, goodness and joy: “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore” (Psalms 16:11).

Remember, one of the words used to describe God’s goodness is easy. God is not uptight as some humans are. To this, someone might reply; “But wait a minute! The Bible says that God’s wrath and anger are kindled against sin!” Yes they are kindled against the rebellious (Romans 1:18-20), but not against those whom He has redeemed from sin and forgiven and has made His very own. This goodness is reserved for and abounds toward those who are presently living in the Spirit, not after the flesh (Romans 8:1). For the born-again Christian, the power, penalty, and punishment of sin is completely canceled. We are safe from His wrath through Christ’s sinless blood (Romans 5:9). God is good.

CHOSEN, PREDESTINATED TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world… in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” Ephesians 1:4-5,9

GOD’S THOUGHTS TOWARD YOU – LET THIS BE SETTLED FOREVER: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, THOUGHTS OF PEACE, and NOT of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 (A good verse to memorize.)

Is it possible that one could think upon the unfathomable vastness of divine goodness without the Fatherly heart of God being revealed? I think not. He is our Savior, Caretaker, Comforter, LORD, Friend and Redeemer. Our heavenly Father is not postured/bent upon hurting His own “special people,” rather His desire is the total reconciliation, restoration and healing of each of those created in His image (Deut. 7:6; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9, etc.). God’s disposition toward His creation, namely those redeemed and made in His image, is one of warmth and benevolence, not harm (Jer. 29:11; Rev. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 7:7-11). He is our “Abba Father” which is equivalent to “Daddy” (Romans 8:15).

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you…” Deuteronomy 7:6-8

HIS GOODNESS ACTUALLY PURSUES THOSE WHO ALLOW HIM TO BE THEIR SHEPHERD: “Surely GOODNESS and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Psalms 23:6

HIS GREAT AFFECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE: “…as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:5

GOD CELEBRATES OVER HIS PEOPLE: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

A PITFALL TO AVOID: When a person neglects seeking to know the full counsel of God revealed in His inspired words, the Holy Bible, he will forfeit knowing the wholeness of God’s nature. The person who neglects the study of the Saviour will inevitably concoct in his mind the image of a false god. He will thereby break God’s commandments by erecting in his mind the “graven image” of a god who does not exist (Exodus 20:2-3).

Tip: Jesus said; “Search the scriptures…for they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39.) A fresh reading of Ephesians Chapter 1 will rejuvenate and establish within your heart the “good pleasure” and the “goodness” God has occasioned and predestined His children to enjoy both now and forever. It would be profitable to get this in your heart by reading it every morning for at least one week (two weeks recommended).

THE REASON WE WERE CREATED: “Thou art worthy, O Lord…for thou hast created all things, and FOR THY PLEASURE they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

“…trust…in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17

UNCHANGING GOODNESS TOWARD HIS OWN: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17

WHO IS GOD GOOD TO?

1. All men, even sinners – Matt. 5:44-48; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9; Ez. 33:11; God looks/waits for sinners to repent; when they do He welcomes them home – Luke 15. When the people of Nineveh turned to God, Jonah was mad, but God was glad (Jonah 3:10).

2. The Almighty is especially good to His own. The LORD has not dealt with us according to our sins. Consider Ezra 9:13: “God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.” Also see Psalms 103:10.

“If thou, Lord , shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, who he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy.” Psalms 107:2

We should exude goodness toward sinners as God does – even when and as we declare His judgment to come upon every unrepentant soul. “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good”(Matthew 5:45). This same goodness that we have received from God we are to display to our neighbors, both saved and unsaved. Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

BECAUSE HE IS GOOD, HE DESIRES TO FORGIVE: “For thou, Lord, art GOOD, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalms 86:5

Might this be a good moment to bow our hearts and give Him thanks for the enormity of His goodness?

It continues to occur to me by the quickening of the Holy Spirit to be alwayssss giving God thanks for who He is and for how He loves us, and for His innumerable blessings to us in Christ (James 1:17). Our hearts droop when we don’t celebrate His goodness. God is so good!

The Goodness of God Reserved for the Chosen – Those who Choose Him, His Plan

God has set up an eternal plan.

“That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” Ephesians 1:10

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3 

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7

God’s Goodness in Evangelism

“The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.”

WHERE will people find goodness in this fallen world…. other than by way of the witnesses of how good our God is?! WHERE else shall they turn except to Him who “is love” (1 John 4:8,16).

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

YOUR PRAYER: Holy Father, You have been so very good to us, to me. While You foreknew of me living in sin, as your enemy, You exhibited Your love by sending Your only begotten Son to die for me. I love You LORD Jesus. Please pour Your holy love into and through my life. I surrender all, right this moment. I want to be full of You and not me. Please do it Jesus. Have Your way in me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Memory Verses: Ps. 86:5, 15; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 2:4; 11:22

Is God Guilty of the Horrible things that Happen on His Earth? [podcast]

MAKING PEACE WITH GOD

Is there a “Point of No Return” with God? [podcast]

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Abiding

The Song of Moses: God’s Favor upon His People [podcast]


“And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.” Deuteronomy 31:30

Everything we read of the children of Israel was pointing to Christ and to His perfect salvation He would later come and accomplish and bestow upon His beloved people, the body of Christ which is “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16)  And so this song is written to us (Romans 15:4;  Corinthians 10:11).

At the end of his days, at the end of the 5 books he penned, God gives us through Moses a summation of His salvation work among His beloved people.

“He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13  He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;  14  Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.” Deuteronomy 32:10-14

“32:10-14 The birth and childhood of the nation of Israel are described in verse 10. After the Exodus from Egypt, God guided, instructed, and preserved His people with the love of a mother eagle (v. 11). There was no foreign god who had a part in Israel’s preservation. Why then should the nation turn to idolatry and ascribe the goodness of Jehovah to another? Beginning in verse 13, the song is prophetic. He brought them into the blessings of the Promised Land.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Deuteronomy 32:10
a    [He found him in a desert land …] The sevenfold preservation of Israel:
1.    God found (literally, sustained) him in the wilderness (Deu_32:10).
2.    He led him around (Deu_32:10-12).
3.    He instructed him (Deu_32:10).
4.    He kept him as the apple (pupil) of His eye.
5.    He preserved him from idolatry (Deu_32:12).
6.    He exalted him among the nations (Deu_32:13).
7.    He gave him material prosperity (Deu_32:13-14).
b    [apple of his eye] Hebrew: ’iyshown (H380), the dark pupil of the eye; the hole, gate, or door of the eye (Psa_17:8; Pro_7:2)” Dake

“Deuteronomy 31:30-32:14
MOSES’ SONG: THE LORD’S FAVOR UPON ISRAEL
The song of Moses, like the fabled song of the swan, was his last and sweetest. It is probably the noblest ode in the whole compass of the Bible, and is the source from which subsequent singers derived suggestions for their noblest outbursts. The marginal references prove how deeply it dyed the national sentiment.

It excels in the names and designations of the Almighty. He is the Rock: Deu_31:4; Deu_31:15; Deu_31:18; Deu_31:30; Jehovah: Deu_31:6; Father: Deu_31:6; the Most High: Deu_31:8; God: El, the strong, Deu_31:15, etc. What a study are the names of God, scattered through the Bible! Each was coined to meet some need of the human soul. What the rocks of the desert are to its shifting sands God is amid the changes of this mortal existence.

This earlier part of the song is very tender. We are God’s portion; the apple of His eye; as young eaglets, whom the mother-bird is carefully teaching to fly, the favored recipients of God’s richest gifts, Deu_31:13, etc.” FB Meyer

Notice the descriptive language, the metaphors—how the LORD illustrates how He loves, protects, and provides for His people. In Scripture, the LORD uses imagery to communicate truth.

“Moses’ song and what our LORD reveals in this message, is such a beautiful picture of God finding us in our hopeless, miserable, and lost state. He pulls us out of the miry clay and gives us His supply of grace. He then clothes us with His righteousness, seating us in heavenly places in Christ and surrounding us with His care and protection. God’s love and goodness to us.” Karen Cochran

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will

say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my

God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee

from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome

pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall

be thy shield and buckler.” Psalms 91:1-4

Read Psalm 91 often so this truth permeates you. Here the LORD uses the imagery of His “winged fowl” creation (Genesis 1:21). GOD made this very creature/bird for the express purpose of showing us how much He loves us and how He comforts, cares and provides for, guides, and protects His own (Psalms 91:1).

“The Song of Moses is recorded in Deuteronomy 32 of the King James Version (KJV), spanning verses 1 through 43. It is a prophetic poem given by Moses to the children of Israel just before his death, serving as a witness and a reminder of God’s faithfulness and Israel’s potential turning away.”

Prayer: Father, please grant that I know and understand You more and more. I love You LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Jesus in Every Book of the Bible

First and foremost, God’s Word was written to reveal Christ.

The Bible is said to be “The only Book where the divine Author is present every time you read it.”

He’s divinely encoded and present on every page of His Word.

“And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.” Luke 24:44 

Every book of the Bible is about the LORD Jesus, who is the central theme, the sacred substance of all of Holy Scripture. If we miss Him, we miss everything, we miss the grand subject and revelation of God’s Word.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39-40

This makes it clear that we can “search the scriptures,” we can know them, and yet not know the Author.

They knew the Word of God but did not know the God of the Word. They made the choice not to “come to” Jesus thorugh His Word. They made it about themselves, not Jesus.

The Bible is one Book from one divine Author. The divisions are there to help us navigator His Word. – Old and New Testaments, chapters, verses, etc.

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalms 119:18

The supreme and most important “wondrous” thing we are to behold in Holy Writ, is Jesus Christ.

Amen. Jesus Christ is King of all kings, LORD of all lords.

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8

Jesus is present in every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Here’s a breakdown of how He is revealed in each book:

Old Testament Canon:

  • Genesis: Jesus is the seed of the woman (Gen 3:15) and the promised redeemer descended from the line of Judah (Genesis 22:17-18).
  • Exodus: Jesus is the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:1-13).
  • Leviticus: Jesus is the Great High Priest (Leviticus 8:1-36; Hebrews 4:14).
  • Numbers: Jesus is the Rock (Numbers 20:2-13).
  • Deuteronomy: Jesus is the Bread of Life (Deuteronomy 8:3).
  • Joshua: Jesus is the Captain of the Lord’s host (Joshua 5:13-15).
  • Judges: Jesus is the Judge of Israel (Judges 2:11-15).
  • Ruth: Jesus is the Kinsman-Redeemer (Ruth 3:9-13).
  • 1 Samuel: Jesus is the King of Israel (1 Samuel 16:13).
  • 2 Samuel: Jesus is the Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-13).
  • 1 Kings: Jesus is the King of Israel (1 Kings 1:30-40).
  • 2 Kings: Jesus is the King of Israel (2 Kings 17:13-15).
  • 1 Chronicles: Jesus is the King of Israel (1 Chronicles 17:11-15).
  • 2 Chronicles: Jesus is the King of Israel (2 Chronicles 6:16).
  • Ezra: Jesus is the Rebuilder of the Temple (Ezra 5:2-5).
  • Nehemiah: Jesus is the Rebuilder of the Walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6:15-16).
  • Esther: Jesus is Mordecai (Esther 2:5-7).
  • Job: Jesus is the Ever-Living Redeemer (Job 19:25-27).
  • Psalms: Jesus is the Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-4).
  • Proverbs: Jesus is Wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31).
  • Ecclesiastes: Jesus is the Teacher (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
  • Song of Solomon: Jesus is the Bridegroom (Song of Solomon 1:2-4).
  • Isaiah: Jesus is the Messiah (Isaiah 53:1-12).
  • Jeremiah: Jesus is the Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5-6).
  • Lamentations: Jesus is the Suffering Servant (Lamentations 3:22-24).
  • Ezekiel: Jesus is the Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:11-16).
  • Daniel: Jesus is the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14).
  • Hosea: Jesus is the Husband (Hosea 2:16-20).
  • Joel: Jesus is the Day of the Lord (Joel 2:28-32).
  • Amos: Jesus is the Shepherd (Amos 5:24-27).
  • Obadiah: Jesus is the Redeemer (Obadiah 1:21).
  • Jonah: Jesus is the Savior (Jonah 2:9-10).
  • Micah: Jesus is the Ruler (Micah 5:2-5).
  • Nahum: Jesus is the Judge (Nahum 1:2-8).
  • Habakkuk: Jesus is the Righteous One (Habakkuk 1:13).
  • Zephaniah: Jesus is the Righteous Branch (Zephaniah 3:14-17).
  • Haggai: Jesus is the Desire of All Nations (Haggai 2:7).
  • Zechariah: Jesus is the Branch (Zechariah 3:8).
  • Malachi: Jesus is the Messenger (Malachi 3:1).

New Testament Canon:

  • Matthew: Jesus is the Messiah (Matthew 1:1-25).
  • Mark: Jesus is the Son of God (Mark 1:1-11).
  • Luke: Jesus is the Savior (Luke 2:11).
  • John: Jesus is the eternal, the divine Word of God (John 1:1-14).
  • Acts: Jesus is the Resurrected Lord (Acts 1:1-11).
  • Romans: Jesus is the Righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-26).
  • 1 Corinthians: Jesus is the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).
  • 2 Corinthians: Jesus is the Great Comforter, Consoler, grace-giver, sufficiency of/to His people (2 Corinthians 1:1; 12).
  • Galatians: Jesus is the Redeemer, liberty giver (Galatians 3:13-14).
  • Ephesians: Jesus is the Head of the Church (Ephesians 1:20-23).
  • Philippians: Jesus is the God of Peace (Philippians 4:7-9).
  • Colossians: Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all life (Colossians 1:15-17).
  • 1 Thessalonians: Jesus is the Coming King (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
  • 2 Thessalonians: Jesus is the Coming Judge and King (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12).
  • 1 Timothy: Jesus is the High Priest (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
  • 2 Timothy: Jesus is the Faithful One, Rewarder (2 Timothy 2:13).
  • Titus: Jesus is the Savior, the Blessed Hope (Titus 1:3-4).
  • Philemon: Jesus is the Ransom (Philemon 1:8-9).
  • Hebrews: Jesus is the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14; 5:1-10).
  • James: Jesus is the Righteous One, Giver of wisdom (James 1:1-18).
  • 1 Peter: Jesus is the Shepherd, Rock (1 Peter 2:25).
  • 2 Peter: Jesus is the Lord, Day Star (2 Peter 1:1-21).
  • 1 John: Jesus is the Son of God, Light, Advocate, Truth (1 John 1:1-14).
  • 2 John: Jesus is the Savior, Truth (2 John 1:1-13).
  • 3 John: Jesus is the Savior, Way (3 John 1:1-15).
  • Jude: Jesus is the Savior (Jude 1:1-25).
  • Revelation: Jesus is the Lamb of God, King of kings (Revelation 1:1-20).

Jesus is present in every book of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, as the seed of the woman, the Passover Lamb, the High Priest, the Rock, the Judge, the King, the Redeemer, the Shepherd, the Husband, the Savior, and more.

Jesus Christ is King. – “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8

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Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice [podcast]


The Glories
of the
Scarlet Thread

(Few things could be this important to your spiritual life)

Of the scarlet of redemption, one writer notes:

“The Wonder of Redemption: The blood is the power of redemption and you will see this as we follow through the Bible from the beginning to the end of God’s revelation of Himself to man as recorded in the Bible.”

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14

The great apostle of Jesus declared the Gospel to us:

“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 

The Fall of Man

The Good News is so good due to the very bad news of our fall.

“Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:12, 18

When the man and woman whom God had created chose to sin against Him, He separated them from His presence. They attempted to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together and girding them around their waists (Genesis 2:7). This was man’s attempt to cover his own sin and shame.

“The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald

God did not honor the fig leaves so He shed the blood of animals to make them “coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Because He had already foretold that His Son would be sent to redeem the fallen race (Genesis 3:15), God chose to depict the sacrifice that the coming Redeemer would make by the sacrifice of innocent animals. The atonement for the man and woman by the sacrifice of these animals pointed to the prophesied Savior who would later come and personally shed His blood to atone for the sins of His creation which had been contaminated by sin.

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30

This Scripture above speaks to the utter need and absolute divine exclusivity and uniqueness of Christ.

From the cradle of creation through the dispensation of the Mosaic law, in Christ’s redemptive blood on Calvary’s cross, and throughout eternity future, we see that in the Creator’s economy it is blood that quenches the fire of His holy vengeance.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is NO remission.” Hebrews 9:22

God obviously instructed Adam and Eve to sacrifice animals to continue to cover their sin because their son Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” at the time of sacrifice (Genesis 4:4).

The blood sacrifice that Abel offered to God was accepted because it demonstrated faith in the coming Redeemer.

When Israel was in bondage God informed the nation that each family was to shed the blood of an unblemished lamb and place the blood upon their doorposts before He delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 12). He said that this blood would save them from His wrath. The unblemished lamb was a type of the spotless Lamb of God which was to come to be slain (1 Peter 1:19), saving those who would receive Him, from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).

Not Just Any Blood

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem…” Galatians 4:4-5

Sin separated men from their holy Maker and God (Isaiah 59:2). Under the law God instructed the nation of Israel to approach Him by the sacrifice of animals. The sins of the people were atoned for by the blood of animals because this demonstrated faith in the prophesied and coming Redeemer (Leviticus 16:34, 17:11). In Leviticus 16 there is a twofold typology of Christ found. Aaron, the priest of Israel, was to take two goats to atone for the sins of the people (Lev. 16:8-10). One of these two goats was used as a “sin offering” and the other for a “scapegoat.” The “sin offering” goat that was sacrificed was a type of Christ who would later shed His blood, “offering Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). His blood, which was depicted here in the blood of the animal, was to be the ultimate price for atonement (at-one-ment) that the Father required for the removal of the sins of the fallen race. The word “scapegoat” here literally means the goat of departure. Concerning this live goat of departure, the LORD instructed Aaron to lay both hands upon him and confess all the sins and iniquities of Israel upon him and then send him away into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:20-22). This goat, the scapegoat, was a type of Christ in that it would carry the sins of God’s people away from them. It would separate them from sin so that their sin wouldn’t separate them from God. This is a type of Christ in that He was to come and shed His perfect blood to “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus cried: “Why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalms 22:1; Matthew 27:46)

“It was the human body which God had given Him. It was the sacrifice that cried-the Lamb about to die! The Son of Man knew Himself forsaken. God dumped that vast, filthy, slimy mass of human sin on the soul of the Savior-and then backed away.” A.W. Tozer.

“Wow! All that filth was ours! Jesus was our ultimate sacrifice! And Isaiah says in 53:10 that it ‘pleased the Lord to bruise Him.’ This was God’s divine plan that Jesus would be the sacrifice for our sins so we could have redemption and reconciliation with God. We cannot understand the depths of this kind of love for us! All we can do is praise Jesus! And love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37), and obey and follow Him all the days of our lives! All praise to You Jesus for loving us this much!” Karen Cochran

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This prophetic pattern continued to cover the sins of His people from the time of the fall until the One whom these sacrifices foreshadowed appeared (Hebrews 10). Those in Israel who truly loved the LORD fervently anticipated the arrival of the prophesied Messiah a Lamb of God. About 4,000 years after man had fallen, a prophet named John the Baptist, saw Jesus approaching and declared “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It was the fullness of time and the Father had sent the promised Redeemer into the earth to “take away the sin of the world.” The sacrifices that once atoned for Israel would now be superseded by the one sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son (Hebrews 10:1-23). His pure and spotless blood would now be shed to remove the sins of the world. The Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world (in the mind of God) was now manifest in the flesh to redeem mankind from his sinful and separated state (Revelation 13:8; John 1:14). He became the “propitiation” (atoning sacrifice) for our sins (1 John 2:2).

Just before He went to His ordained altar, the cross, to be offered up for the sin of the world, Jesus said;

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28

As is clearly announced in the God-breathed New Testament records, redemption, remission, and the forgiveness of sins comes only from the blood of Jesus, the one and only Redeemer of men (Ephesians 1:7).

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7

THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL SACRIFICE

He who knew no sin became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21).

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30

It was out of the riches of His mercy and grace that our sins have been remitted by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Note the finality of language He uses to convince you of this in the following passage:

“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified…. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 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; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10:12-22

Not only does the blood of Jesus take away/remove the sins of the one who personally receives Him, but also the guilt that is always coupled with sin (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9). What great salvation!

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5

His blessed sinless divine blood is available to those who will simply “Come” to Him as He invites them to do … before and in order to be saved AND afterward, that fount is always available during this season …. (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:14-16)! Anyone else thankful and happy about “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” today? (1 Peter 1:18-19)

For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.

Where is YOUR Christology friend? What know thee of Christ? Have you sought and studied Him? Go here: Christology (the study of Christ)

If you will be planted deep into Christ, your Christology, your study of, your personal knowledge of Christ must be deep, not shallow (Colossians 2:6-10).

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here:  Born Again: What is It?

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

PEACE with GOD

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“Amen! Words cannot express our thanks in what our Lord Jesus has done on the Cross for us, His suffering. We thank You Lord for all you have done, though we are undeserving, we thank you so much. Otherwise I would be lost, on my way to hell w/out your salvation.” Paula L.

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