I Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. --NKJV In the name of the One Who died for our sins, amen.
This week we will dwell on the topic of Justification and how God has saved us from our sins. A good place to start is with the words above. Here is the whole Gospel in a nutshell. Here, in these few words from St. Paul, lies the answer to the age old question, "how can I, as a sinful human being, be reconciled to a perfect, righteous, and holy God who is angry with me?" We humans have been asking that very question ever since we have been walking the earth. The answer we come up with invariably is dead wrong. The answer has always been for humans to look inside themselves; to try and muster up something from within that they can do to appease God and His wrath. However, the correct answer can never come from within the mind and heart of man. The correct solution to the problem above can never be found in what we as humans do for God. Rather, the answer must lie in what God has done for us. These words from the Apostle Paul tell us how God Himself has determined the answer to the problem. He sent His only Son, Christ Jesus, and He died to take away our sins. Then he rose from the dead the third day. By this act our salvation has been accomplished, not by anything we contribute, but by God Himself. Amen.
Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for providing the solution to the problem of how I, as a poor miserable sinner, can be reconciled to you as the holy and righteous God and stand in your presence. Let me not forget that that solution does not come from inside of me, but from your dear Son Jesus, who died for my sins that I might live, and who suffered Your wrath and punishment so that I might enjoy peace and everlasting life, amen.
copyright 2001 Reformation Lutheran Church http://ReformationChurch.org
Thank you to vicar Lawson for the devotions this week.