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Christ Died Once For All

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.” – 1 Peter 3:18

What kind of sacrifices have you made in your life?

Sacrifice was a big part of the religious life of the People of Israel. Many animals were sacrificed over the centuries for the forgiveness of sins. However, these animal sacrifices were shadows of the one true sacrifice to come. As we read in Hebrews 10:4,

For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

There has only been one sacrifice for the atonement for sins, Jesus. He’s the only one who could. He is the only human who lived a sinless life and did not deserve the punishment of death, the righteous dying for the unrighteous.

Pastor, I don’t sacrifice animals. What does this have to do with me?

Today, we don’t sacrifice animals, but we do sacrifice. We give up things for the ministry of the church or to help our neighbor or to honor the Lord. We hold back on stealing our neighbor’s new Tesla or gossiping about someone in the office.

These sacrifices are good, but do they help our standing with God?

No! You’re sins are forgiven entirely by the Christ’s sacrifice. You are brought to God by Christ. You are made alive by the Spirit. All this is yours solely because of God’s work. You receive it through faith. You are joined with Christ’s death in baptism and will be joined with Him in His resurrection.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?…For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” – Romans 6:3, 5

Many in the church over the centuries have confused this. They would say, “Yes, Jesus died for you, but you must also do XYZ to be forgiven and saved.” We must resist that message. In that message, we lose the Gospel!

So, should you sacrifice?

Yes, but not because you think it will somehow complete your salvation or that God won’t forgive you unless you do. Do it because Jesus has already died for you, the righteous for the unrighteous, and brought you from death to life.

I hope you’ll join me tomorrow as we offer a sacrifice of praise in worship because of what Jesus has already done for us.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for dying for me and giving me new life. Help me to sacrifice for You and my neighbor joyfully in response to all that You have done for me. Protect me from those who would try to convince me that another sacrifice is needed.

Amen.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Kurt