Part Three: His Name is Jesus

His name is Jesus Christ.

About 2000 years ago, God the Son (the second person of the trinity) clothed Himself in human flesh-- 100% God and 100% Man. He humbled Himself to our human state and was born of a virgin in a borrowed stable. Jesus grew and lived the perfect life we couldn’t. He suffered the temptations we have, but never gave in. His thoughts, motives, emotions, and actions were all kept perfectly holy. He mission on earth was to heal the sick, seek the lost, and rescue the perishing. His mission was to serve, not to be served - to set up a heavenly kingdom, not an earthly kingdom. His whole life led to one event, the event that would provide a way to be made right with God.

Jesus Christ willingly was crucified on a cross for accusations that were false. He was beaten and stripped. He wore a crown of thorns and was hung on a wooden cross by nails in His hands and feet. But greater than this was the wrath of God poured out on Him for our sins. The judgement we deserved and could not pay was inflicted on the perfect Man – the Son of God.

God the Father could not look at Him; for our sin was on Him. The relationship between the trinity was broken. The greatest suffering in the universe had occurred.

 

We deserved to be on that cross, we deserved to bear God's wrath and rejection forever, yet Christ in His mercy and grace for His bride, took it in our place.

 

Jesus died for sinners. This is the Gospel.

 

What are the implications of the Gospel?

Judgement and wrath of God Satisfied [Romans 3:25-25] : We need Christ to pay for our sin because there is absolutely nothing we have that can pay for it. Nothing we have is our own, it has all been given to us through the graciousness of Christ. Christ, in Himself, owned Himself completely. His perfect, sinless person was the only thing that could justify the wrath of God for sinners.

 

Sin wiped clean, righteousness imputed: Christ bore our sins. So now when God looks at us, He does not see our sin. What’s more is that when Christ took our sin, He gave us His perfection! So though we will never reach perfection on earth, the perfect life Jesus lived is laid on our account. So God looks at us and sees no sin, and the boundless perfection of His Son. Picture a bank account. We were in the negative with our sin. Christ took our debt and deposited His righteousness. So now our account not only is out of the negative, but we have unlimited perfection in the positive.

 

Relationship with God restored: Because Christ came and died in our stead; God can look at us and draw near to us, because we are covered by the righteousness of Christ. He loves us like He loves God the Son. We are considered part of the family of God – children of God. We share in Christ’s inheritance. Christ even sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and to guide and teach us. We can please and glorify God. We can worship him with a pure heart. And one day we when we die we will see God and live with Him forever.

 

What is our response?

Not everyone is saved. People still die and go to hell. People are so stubborn. They persistently refuse to yield to the Lord who made them and who is fervently protecting them. Maybe there was an accident or a death that causes you to reject God. Most often it's pure selfishness. People want to take credit for who they are-- how successful they have become. In doing so, they personally knock out the need for a Saviour in their life.

So how is grace applied to us? What must we do? Repent and Believe the Gospel [Acts 2:38]! Repentance means to change your mind about something, or to turn away from something. We are commanded to turn and change our minds about sin. Instead of loving sin and following our own desire, we stop, turn around, and follow after God.

 

How can we do this? Aren’t we dead in ourselves? Are there not any that do good and none that seek after God [Romans 3:10-11]? Yes, this is impossible to do on our own strength. That is why from the cross to the regeneration or changing of man’s heart it is the work of God. Only the Holy Spirit brings conviction and gives repentance. How can we get the Holy Spirit's help? By praying and asking for the Holy Spirit to change your heart to love the things of God and hate the things of the world.

 

Response 1: Do you not care? Are you going to push it aside and do it some other day? Are you content living the way you are? Do you think you’re a pretty good person and are convinced by the lie that God will accept you just as you are? Are you afraid of the judgement of Hell to come, but not willing to give up the pleasures of sin and the world and trust in Christ?  I urge you, repent! Cry out to God for mercy and pray for the Holy Spirit to change your heart of stone! Don’t wait. Death plays no favourites!

Response 2: Are you convicted? Do you feel guilt and shame for your sin? Do you see the damage it has done to God and yourself? Do you see God’s justice? Do you fear him? Are you concerned that you do not love God as you ought and you love yourself and the world more? Do you long to know God more and be able to worship as He deserves? Praise God, the Holy Spirit is already doing a work in you! Now, confess your sins, believe Christ’s work on the Cross was enough, surrender your life to God, and seek His face. Prayer and reading the Holy Bible are the two greatest things you can do to draw near to God.

 

Response 3: Are you ready to accept this gift? Do you love what Jesus has done and are grateful to Him? Are you sorry for your sin? Are you looking forward to a happy life and blessings from above? Does heaven excite you right now? Beware! Though God does give us blessings and rewards us, He promises hardships and tribulations in this life. The gospel isn’t a just a ticket to heaven you can stash in your back pocket. The gospel is a message of hope and a call to a life lived for God in a dark world.

 

Response 4: Has Christ already done a work in you? Do you live daily repenting and daily rejoicing in the Gospel? Do you live a life of hardships, but rest continually in the work of Christ? Are you proclaiming this message to those who come in contact with you? Brothers and sisters, let us rejoice again and be reminded of what Christ has gone through to give us hope! Continue to live your life centered on the gospel.

   

Did Jesus stay dead? Did He truly satisfy the wrath of God or is He being tormented by the Father to this day? Was it enough? Do we truly have eternal life or do we still fear death?

The best is yet to come.

Love to all,
Berea and Brooke