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Author Topic: A Daily Devotional  (Read 638813 times)
Soldier4Christ
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« Reply #4170 on: December 15, 2012, 07:58:31 AM »

Old Testament Prophecy

"Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you." (1 Peter 1:10)
 
Our verse today, and the verses that follow, tell us a good deal about Old Testament prophecy and, rightly understood, answer many of the questions raised by modern "scholars" who scoff at the divine authorship of Scripture.
 
First, we can see that much prophecy was devoted to the theme of "the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (v. 11), long before the events took (or will take) place. That these prophecies were not mere human contrivances is seen in the claim that they were due to "the Spirit of Christ which was in them."
 
Furthermore, the prophets themselves didn't fully understand what they were writing. For instance, Isaiah wrote both of the glory of the coming Messiah (chapter 11) and His sufferings and death (chapter 53) with no indication that he knew how to put the two together. Peter claims the prophets "enquired and searched diligently" (1 Peter 1:10) "what, or what manner of time" (v. 11) these things would come to pass. Indeed, even "the angels desire to look into" (v. 12) these mysterious passages and doctrines.
 
Finally, the prophets evidently knew that the mysterious prophecies were not for them to understand, but for us to understand (v. 12). Much of what so puzzled them has been revealed to us "by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven" (v. 12).
 
Because of the ultimate authorship by the Holy Spirit, and the eventual explanation by the same Spirit, these prophecies have never failed. They provide irrefutable evidence for the inspiration of Scripture, clear reasons to trust in the message of Scripture, and a grounded faith in the consummation of God's plan for the ages. JDM
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« Reply #4171 on: December 16, 2012, 07:50:57 AM »

God Is Faithful

"God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9)
 
When we place our trust in Jesus Christ as omnipotent Creator and gracious Redeemer, He then faithfully undertakes to provide everything we need to live an effective, fruitful, victorious Christian life.
 
For example, when we are tempted to sin or are tested in any other way, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). In this connection, He undertakes to ground us firmly in His truth and to keep us from moral and spiritual harm. "The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil" (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
 
When we do sin, however, He assures us that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). With all our failings, He has undertaken to eventually perfect us in Christ, and He faithfully will continue this until it is done. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; . . . Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
 
All that He has promised, He will do. Even when we are unfaithful to Him, He remains faithful to us. "If we believe not [that is, 'are unfaithful'], yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).
 
Today's verse above, assuring us of God's faithfulness, follows the promise that He will "confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8). Therefore, we seek also to be faithful. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)" (Hebrews 10:23). HMM
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« Reply #4172 on: December 17, 2012, 08:46:46 AM »

Our Inheritance

"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you." (1 Peter 1:4)
 
Our heavenly inheritance, among other things, is an "eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15), held jointly with Christ (Romans 8:17) and "all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32). We who are born again "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" and "kept by the power of God" (1 Peter 1:3, 5) find such an inheritance described in today's verse.
 
First, we notice that our inheritance is incorruptible, or undecaying, immortal. Note how the same word is used in verse 23: "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God." Therefore "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt" (Matthew 6:20).
 
Second, it is undefiled, pure, uncontaminated by sin. Remember, Christ is "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26), and so, evidently, is our inheritance.
 
Third, it fadeth not away. "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4).
 
Lastly, our inheritance is reserved in heaven for us. Christ prayed, "Holy Father, keep [same word] through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are" (John 17:11). Surely our inheritance is as secure as we are, guarded by none other than the all-powerful guard.
 
So we see that our inheritance cannot die, cannot be tainted by sin, will never fade, and cannot be lost. "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). JDM
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« Reply #4173 on: December 18, 2012, 09:16:36 AM »

An Answer in Suffering

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)
 
The words of this verse have much to say concerning a ministry such as ICR's and have been oft-discussed in these pages. In short, they consist of a mandate to be always prepared to give a systematic, logical (scientific, if necessary) defense of one's faith, with the proper motives and attitudes, of course. Let us today place the verse in its immediate context, verses 13 through 17.
 
Normally one would not expect opposition for doing good, but such a situation must be expected, particularly if a person is a zealous follower of good (as in v. 13). Such a person is enthusiastic about his cause, not in an irrational way, but a wholehearted way. This intimidates and infuriates those who "loved darkness . . . because their deeds were evil" (John 3:19).
 
"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye" (1 Peter 3:14). Our natural response of fear need not overtake us, for Peter warns us to be prepared, and he gives several commands. First, "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (v. 15). He must occupy the supreme position in our hearts. Next, we must "be ready always" with our defense. This implies forethought, study, and preparation. Lastly, he insists we must maintain "a good conscience" (v. 16), a lifestyle so pure and blameless that any accusations will be to the shame of the accusers.
 
It may be, however, that in spite of our walk with the Lord, our preparation and lifestyle, unjust persecution may come. It may be in "the will of God" (v. 17) for us. If so, so be it, "for it is better . . . that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing." JDM
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« Reply #4174 on: December 19, 2012, 08:18:15 AM »

The Divine/Human Word

"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." (Hebrews 1:1-2)
 
The title of the Word of God is given both to Jesus Christ as the Living Word (John 1:1-3; Revelation 19:13), and to the Holy Scriptures as the written Word (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; etc.). They are so perfectly synchronous that what is said of one can usually be applied also to the other.
 
Both are human, yet without error; both are divine, yet can be comprehended by man. "God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21). "In him is no sin" (1 John 3:5), "The Scripture cannot be broken," and "all Scripture . . . is profitable" (John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16).
 
Furthermore, each is eternal: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven" (Psalm 119:89).
 
Each brings regeneration and everlasting life to all those who believe. "He saved us, by the washing of regeneration . . . through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5-6). "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" (1 John 5:11). "Being born again . . . by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23). "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me" (John 5:39).
 
Finally, judgment comes by both Christ and the Scriptures. "The Father . . . hath committed all judgment unto the Son" (John 5:22). "The dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books" (Revelation 20:12). Both Christ and the Bible are vitally important to each Christian and must be studied, understood, known, loved, trusted, and relied upon in every human endeavor. HMM
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« Reply #4175 on: December 20, 2012, 07:46:41 AM »

Paradoxes of Scripture

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." (Proverbs 11:24)
 
"To get, we must give." This is not the world's method for attaining prosperity, but it is the paradoxical message of today's verse, as well as that of Christianity in general.
 
Note some of the many other paradoxes in the Bible related to this basic truth.

1. To really live, we must die. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20).

2. To save one's life, he or she must lose it. "Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it" (Luke 17:33).

3. To be wise, we must become fools. "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18).

4. To reign, we must serve. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things" (Matthew 25:21).

5. To be exalted, we must become humble. "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matthew 23:12).

6. To be first, we must be last. "So the last shall be first, and the first last" (Matthew 20:16).
 
Finally, note the ninefold paradox of a truly Christian ministry: "In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God. . . . By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Corinthians 6:4, 8-10). HMM
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« Reply #4176 on: December 21, 2012, 08:07:52 AM »

A Spring of Water

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)
 
Water is necessary for life, and no one can live for long without it. Jesus, when talking to the Samaritan woman at the well, used this simple and well-known fact to teach timeless truth, both to her and to us.
 
The two occurrences of the word "drinketh" in today's verse are actually in two different forms. The construction used in Greek implies a continual, habitual drinking in the first case, but a one-time action in the second.
 
Likewise, while the woman referred to a "well" (v. 12) (literally "a hole in the ground"), Christ referred to a "flowing well," or "spring," using a different word.
 
Furthermore, when He said one who drinks from His spring shall "never thirst," He said so in a very emphatic way. Not only is "thirst" emphasized by the sentence structure, but it is compiled of two negatives preceding the verb "thirst," which is further strengthened by the word "forever," i.e., "shall not, shall not thirst, forever."
 
One who drinks from the wells of the world will thirst again, for sinful pleasures never satisfy. But just a single drink from the springs of "living water" (4:10; 7:38) of which Christ spoke eliminates spiritual thirst forever.
 
That one drink is a drink of eternal life, and it becomes in the believer a veritable spring, inexhaustible in its quantity and unsurpassed in its quality. The water is, of course, a reference to the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to minister to His followers in His absence. One day we'll be with Him, and then, as well as now, He completely satisfies. JDM
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« Reply #4177 on: December 22, 2012, 08:51:30 AM »

Death before Sin?

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:21-22)
 
Modern evangelicals have found it fashionable to accommodate Scripture to the concept of a very old earth. These views all do serious harm to Scripture, including the current compromise of choice, the "framework hypothesis," which holds that the passages which seem to deal with science and early history contain only "spiritual" truth, but not factual content. Each such attempt to accept vast ages before the appearance of man has many flaws, but perhaps the most damaging to the Christian faith is the problem of death before sin.
 
The Bible plainly teaches that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Before Adam and Eve rebelled, animals ate only plants (Genesis 1:30). Death came as a result of sin and the curse: "For in the day that thou eatest thereof |the forbidden tree| thou shalt surely die" (Genesis 2:17). The first death in all of creation occurred when God provided Adam and Eve animal skins for clothing. Sin always brings death. "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Indeed "the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now" (Romans 8:22). That this is not referring to spiritual death only is clear from today's verse, which deals with physical resurrection from the dead. Just as Adam's sin brought death on all creation, so Christ's resurrection brings victory over death.
 
But here is the problem. If death existed before Adam, then death is not the penalty for sin. How, then, did Christ's death pay the penalty for our sin? If death is not tied to Adam's sin, then life is not tied to Christ's death and resurrection, and the Christian faith is all in vain. JDM
 
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« Reply #4178 on: December 23, 2012, 07:49:19 AM »

We Can Know that We Know Him

"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3)
 
The apostle John's vocabulary in his gospel, epistles, and even in Revelation is quite distinctive. The verb "know," for example, occurs more in John than in any other gospel, and more in 1 John than in any other epistle. He emphasizes by this that the Christian life is based on knowledge. In the words of today's verse, for example, we can test the genuineness of our knowledge of Christ as Savior by whether or not we keep His commandments. Note some of the other tests listed in John in his first epistle, as follows:
 
"Ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29). "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (3:14). "Hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us" (3:24). "But whoso keepeth |i.e., 'guards'| his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him" (2:5). "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (5:13).
 
There are other similar "tests of life," but these make the point. A person who has been really born again through faith in Christ and His saving work can have assurance of his salvation, if he truly believes in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; if he guards and honors God's Word; if he manifests the presence of the guiding, purifying Holy Spirit in his life; if he keeps His commandments and lives righteously, and if he manifests real love for his Christian brethren.
 
This is not to say that if he fails one or more of these tests he is necessarily unsaved. There are, however, no grounds for real assurance of salvation without them. Therefore, as Paul suggests, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5). HMM
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« Reply #4179 on: December 24, 2012, 08:46:47 AM »

Garments for the King

"All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad." (Psalm 45:8)
 
One of the most beautiful of the Christmas hymns (though rarely sung at Christmas) is "Out of the Ivory Palaces," telling how the King of heaven left His heavenly home and laid aside His perfumed, royal clothing to enter "a world of woe." That this 45th Psalm is symbolic in part is obvious; but that it refers to Christ is also obvious from its use in Hebrews 1:8: "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom," quoting Psalm 45:6.
 
That the eternal King left heaven to come to earth is not symbolic, however, but very real; nor did He have royal robes in which to be arrayed, for they "wrapped |Him| in swaddling clothes" and laid Him "in a manger" (Luke 2:12).
 
Then, as He later walked the dusty roads of Judea, we know little of what He wore, but we do know that on one notable occasion, He "laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet" (John 13:4-5). A strange garment, and stranger action, for the King of glory!
 
Yet stranger still that men whom He had created, later "took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat. . . . but cast lots for it" (John 19:23-24), leaving Him naked to die a painful death spiked to a tree. Finally, His little remnant of friends took "the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes" (John 19:40) for His burial.
 
Now, however, in glory, He once again is arrayed in kingly apparel, "clothed with a garment down to the foot, and . . . with a golden girdle" (Revelation 1:13), and one day, all His redeemed shall see Him--in His beauty--the King in whose law we delight! HMM
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« Reply #4180 on: December 25, 2012, 07:16:28 AM »

Thanks for the Greatest Gift

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)
 
We who have known and sought to follow the Lord for many years have received many, many blessings for which to thank Him. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19), we can pray again and again.
 
But there is one blessing which is so great that it cannot even be put into words--it is unspeakable! That gift is so great that when we try to comprehend it, the sense of awe and gratitude becomes so overwhelming (or at least should become so overwhelming) that our joy is also unspeakable--indescribable! That gift, of course, is the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, . . . ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8).
 
It is significant that the Greek word translated "unspeakable" occurs only these two times in the entire New Testament. God’s unspeakable gift to us produces unspeakable joy in us. We who deserve nothing but eternal separation from God in hell, instead will enjoy eternal life with God in heaven, and all because of that amazing and truly inexpressible gift!
 
To think that the mighty Creator, God the Son, would not only humble Himself to become His own creature, man, but then also suffer the unimaginable agony of the cross and separation from God the Father in order to deliver us from the just penalty of sin! This act speaks of such love and grace that all we can do is whisper softly, "Thank you, Lord, for this unspeakable gift," and then shout it over and over again in our hearts wherever we go, and share its unspeakable joy and blessing with whomever will listen to its message. "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad" (Psalm 126:3). Thank you, Lord! HMM
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« Reply #4181 on: December 26, 2012, 08:25:03 AM »

Never Ashamed

"For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)
 
Just where does the Scripture say this? Paul is apparently quoting here from Isaiah 28:16, which is the following: "Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
 
The question is: Why did Paul change the Hebrew word for "make haste" to the Greek word for "be ashamed"? He did the same thing in Romans 9:33. "As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." This verse makes the question even more involved, because here Paul combines the quote with Isaiah 8:14: "And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence." Note also 1 Peter 2:6-8, which combines both verses with Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
 
The Greek Septuagint translation apparently rendered "make haste" (which is the correct meaning of the Hebrew word, as confirmed by all its other uses in the Old Testament) by a Greek word meaning something like "put to shame." More importantly, however, these passages illustrate the truth that the Holy Spirit (the real Author of the Bible) has a perfect right to interpret His writing however He will. And He interpreted "make haste" to mean "be ashamed."
 
That is, when we believe on Christ, we never need to flee in haste from His enemies, for we can never be put to shame when anchored on this sure foundation. As the Lord said in another passage: "They shall not be ashamed that wait for me" (Isaiah 49:23). HMM
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« Reply #4182 on: December 27, 2012, 08:45:30 AM »

Jesus Christ: Creator

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him." (Colossians 1:16)
 
The Old Testament uses several names for the One who created. For example: "For thus saith the LORD |i.e., Jehovah| that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it" (Isaiah 45:18). But the New Testament leaves no doubt as to who the Creator is.
 
Today’s verse states it clearly. The "him" in context is the Father’s "dear Son" (v. 13) who shed "his blood" (v. 14). Similarly, the favorite passage in John 1:3 identifies Christ as the Creator: "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." "He was in the world, and the world was made by him" (v. 10). "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (v. 14). No member of the human race nor member of the Trinity fits this description except Jesus Christ. "God . . . hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:1-2).
 
Jesus Christ is the Creator, and once He put on human form, His creative abilities continued to find application. Several of His miracles involved creation out of nothing. Note the feeding of the five thousand (John 6:10-11), the transformation of water into wine (John 2:9-11), and bringing life from non-life--the raising of Lazarus (John 11:43-44), just to name a few.
 
Perhaps the most important creative act of Christ is one He performs on repentant sinners every day. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). JDM
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« Reply #4183 on: December 28, 2012, 08:34:18 AM »

The Name of the Lord Jesus

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
 
This is the first of 144 references to the name of Christ in the New Testament. The word "name" (Greek noma) occurs only about 95 times when referring to any or all other names. This fact is itself a sort of commentary on Philippians 2:9: "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name."
 
In biblical times, a person's name expressed the character or attributes desired for a child by his or her parents. The reason for the name "JESUS," which means "Jehovah saves" or simply "salvation," was given by the angel: "He shall save his people from their sins."
 
There is only one Savior, "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12); but His name does save! "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).
 
Those who do receive Christ are thenceforth associated with His name--and therefore with His person and work. First they are to be baptized "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matthew 28:19). They are then to order their lives in a way that honors His name. "Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19).
 
He has given many gracious promises of answered prayer if we pray in His name, "that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" (John 15:16). The final use of "name" in the Bible stresses our eternal identification with His name, for "his name shall be in their foreheads" (Revelation 22:4) as we are united with Him in the age to come. HMM
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« Reply #4184 on: December 29, 2012, 08:09:37 AM »

Faithful and Just

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
 
All too often when reading or quoting a favorite verse of Scripture, its familiarity gets in the way of our complete understanding of the verse. Such may be the case with today's verse, one of the most beloved and oft-quoted passages of Scripture. To begin with, we must remember that the topic is sinful behavior. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), therefore sin cannot go unpunished. A faithful and just judge must punish such behavior: to forgive it is neither faithful nor just. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" of sin (Hebrews 9:22).
 
But the Bible also says, "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father. . . . Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 2:1; 1:7).
 
Jesus Christ fully paid the penalty for our sins. He died so that we don't have to die, for God "hath made him to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21). God has further promised that "whoso confesseth and forsaketh |his sins| shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).
 
God in His mercy and grace has declared it to be so. What was once devised as merciful and gracious is now "faithful and just."
 
Because He is just, He cannot allow the punishment for our sin to be inflicted twice. Because He is faithful and has promised to forgive a penitent and confessing sinner, He will not only "forgive us our sins," but "cleanse us from all unrighteousness," thereby restoring the sweet fellowship broken by our rebellion.
 
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). JDM
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Joh 9:4  I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
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