So we've talked about sin and it's aftermath, death. We've talked about humility and repentance. But what does it all mean? What does it all lead to? I'm glad you asked (or, at least, read the question)! These are things we need to talk about, absolutely, but if it's all we talk about, we're missing out on what they lead to, and that is our redeemer, and His promise of eternal life. You see, the key factor in all of this, sin, death, humility and redemption is Jesus Christ; without Him none of these things have any meaning. The Bible tells us that there is no one righteous (Romans 3:10). This means that the penalty for sin is death. The ancients all knew this, it's why every religion had a sacrifice to appease whatever gods they designed to get away from the true God. It's why God established the sacrifices for atonement and blessing: He knew that we were lost on our own. And yet, the Author of Hebrews (see below) tells us that the Sacrifices would have to be made every day by a sinful order of priests (meaning they're human and let their humanity get in the way). So we're dead in our sins, something must atone, and yet sinful hands cannot atone for sinful man. We're doomed to die, not once, but twice! Sin separates us from God, and so, in our sin, we're doomed to die and be separate forever from His presence. Yet, God made a way where no way existed: He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be that atonement. Jesus met all righteous requirements of the law. Jesus atoned for our sin by becoming the one, perfect sacrifice on the cross, willingly giving His life for those who would believe. He rose again on the third day and redeemed us from death. Because He is alive, we too shall rise again on the last day. This is the hope of the Christian! This is the hope: that this world is not our home, that we go to a place, because of Jesus Christ and His redeeming power we shall live a resurrection life now, and rise again, should He tarry, on the last day. We need to talk about this! Virtually everyone in the world recognizes there is something wrong. People are burning down their own towns, unrest is rampant, people are unhappy, why? Sure, the climate and situations they find themselves in, but, should everyone suddenly get everything they want, they will find themselves just as unhappy, and just as lost. We need to provide our witness in the hope we have of redemption and resurrection in Christ Jesus. The world needs that hope! Hebrews 10:1-18 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said,
“Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’”
When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,
“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”
then he adds,
“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
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