MORNING MANNA 4-13-21
BROUGHT TO GOD
“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.” – 1Pet. 3:18
Four things to notice in this verse:
First, notice that the Lord Jesus Christ suffered for sins only one time. He offered Himself a sacrifice for sins only once. Hebrews 10.14 speaks to this same point: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
There is no need for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to be repeated, especially the unbloody sacrifice of the Roman Catholic Mass. Since there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood ( Heb. 9.22) the shedding of blood is indispensable for sins to be cleansed away. But the Lord Jesus Christ’s blood was shed only once because once was and is sufficient.
Second, Christ’s sacrifice on the cross of Calvary was the Just for the unjust. That is, the Lord Jesus Christ’s was a substitutionary sacrifice. Being substitutionary, which means Christ did for the sinner what the sinner could not do for himself, the sinner, therefore, does not need to perform works of righteousness to pay for his salvation; Jesus already paid it all.
Third, “that he might bring us to God.” That is, the responsibility of delivering the sinner to God is Christ’s and Christ’s alone. Why is this an important point to emphasize? Because no man cometh unto the Father, according to the Lord Jesus Christ, “but by me,” John 14.6. Do you want your sins forgiven? Do you want to go to heaven? Do you want to come to God? Then you have to come to Jesus Christ.
Finally, “… being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” He really did die on the cross. He really was buried. And it was the Spirit of God who brought His dead body back to life on the third day.(Copied)
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
