LEARNING DAILY

Ephesians 1:7-8, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.

Sometimes it is good for those who have walked with the Lord for a long time to be reminded just what the Lord Jesus Christ did for them when He put on sandals and walked  this earth. It is good to be reminded that without Him doing so, without Him suffering and taking their place on a cross, there would be no possible way to be good enough to enter His kingdom and spend eternity with Him. That reminder is what Pastor Ed Newton did this past weekend.

Because of Adam’s sin, the sin nature was passed on to every person at their birth. Sin is to “miss the mark,” it is rebellion against God. It required One who was without sin to die in the place of the sinner, much like animals were offered as a sacrifice for the sins of those in the Old Testament. It would take One without sin, born of a virgin to redeem those who would accept Him; only Jesus would fulfill this requirement, the only perfect, sinless person. “His resurrection would verify that His sacrifice had been accepted by God. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer because we cannot fix ourselves” (EN). Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Heaven is a holy place and no one can get there on their own merit, by being good. Our sinfulness without Jesus results in death – eternal separation from God. Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our sinfulness requires justice and that came when God, the Father sent His Son to take the place every sinner who professes their belief in His Son and what He did at the cross of Calvary.  Accepting what Jesus did is the only way anyone can be justified which means being declared righteous and to escape God’s judgment on our sins. Because of the belief in what Jesus did for us, God now looks at each Believer as sinless.

Pastor Newton went on to remind us that because of what Jesus did for us, “We have been pardoned from every trespass. Past, present, future sins have been forgiven. Yes, you continue to sin. Yes, you must acknowledge them when you sin and ask for forgiveness. Yes, you have been forgiven and this forgiveness is not a license to sin. It is a good reminder! The work of Jesus on Calvary’s cross settled the issue of sin forever (Listener Guide). Pastor defined this forgiveness as “expunged” meaning it is as if the sin never happened.” Colossians 1:13-14, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Placing one’s faith in Jesus’ salvation delivers us from darkness and sin and transfers us into the kingdom of God. Walking the narrow way now is part of the process of walking with Jesus in godliness. Romans 6:14, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” As a Believer walking the narrow way, you walk in victory because you walk with Jesus. Hebrews 10:17, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." As a Believer you are free from guilt/shame. Guilt means, “I did wrong” and asking for forgiveness. Shame means, “I am a mistake” and holding on to the devil’s accusations – shame is not of God. (EN)

Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” God provides wisdom and guidance as Believers stay in His Word. God’s Word teaches Believers how to respond to His mercy and grace and to no longer be conformed to the world, fulfilling the “lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.” You renew your mind by being in God’s Word; to look differently at your purpose in this life.