To Bring You to God

1 Peter 3:17-18 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For 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.  
 
WE remember Peter is writing to churches in four provinces of Asia Minor. Many members of the church were raised in the Jewish teachings that the Messiah would be a conquering leader. He would subdue all foreign powers and reign on a throne in Jerusalem. Now these new Christians are believing their Messiah died at the hands of the Romans through the tortuous and humiliating crucifixion. Peter’s words here would be a repetition of the gospel message they had first heard. They needed to hear this repeatedly, so they would understand the depth of God’s love for them.
   We need to constantly hear this, too. Yes, most of us have heard throughout our lives Christ died for our sins. He was made alive by the Spirit. Or perhaps you’ve been a Christian for a short time. Still, we hear many teachings of Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. We hear it because it is the foundation of the Bible. We need to hear it. We need to live into it. Let’s now consider it:
   For Christ died for sins once for all. At his death, Jesus said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He didn’t say, “It’s done for now.” Our Savior proclaimed his death is a one-time act to redeem our sins. The Old Testament law required an annual Day of Atonement when Israel’s priest would shed the blood of a goat for the forgiveness of the nation’s sins. This is no longer needed. Jesus, our Great High Priest, finished the work, once for all. When you trust Jesus’ saving blood, you are once for all cleansed of sin’s condemnation.
   The righteous for the unrighteous. Jesus is holy. Glorious. Triumphant. King. Alpha and Omega. Living Water. Light of the World. Son of God. His splendor is too glorious to behold. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8).
   Jesus died to bring you to God. What joy must fill our hearts when we know the Son of God has brought us to God! Jesus could not bring an unholy person before the Holy Throne. No one who his guilty can stand before God. But because you know Jesus is your righteous Savior, you can be assured you are in the spiritual presence of God. One day you will be with the Father face-to-face because Jesus has brought you to him.
   He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit. Jesus came out of the tomb. He is alive. Luke 24:6a He is not here; he has risen!
You do not worship a dead idol or manmade hero. Your faith is not in someone who claimed wisdom and then died as we all do. You worship the Living Son of God.
   The gospel is the uncommon truth that must remain uncommon in your heart. Treasure God’s truth. With meekness and joy, know the Son of God has brough you to God.