No human can understand the totality of salvation in Jesus. He suffered, who knew no sin, giving up His life in our place. The blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles through faith alone. This gift of God shows His agape love and no greater love exists.
Galatians 4:4-7 when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Everything that Jesus did in His first coming was according to the Law and to the Israelites. It was revealed to Apostle Paul after His resurrection that in Him the world could be saved by grace and not by the law so that no one could boast of his own good works.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
Galatians 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
We were once slaves under Satan and pawns in his slave market. Now, in Christ, we are redeemed. Freed from the power of sin into His glorious light of salvation.
Peter 1:18-21 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Jew or Gentile, Peter addressed all believers we are saved by the blood of Christ alone. Jesus is the sinless lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He who had no sin died for us who were slaves to it.
Matthew 4:8-11 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ 11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Christ in the flesh, totally man and totally God, was tempted to share in the power of Satan, the god of this fallen world. We worship the Lord our God and serve only Him. Without Christ we are lost without the power to overcome sin and we have no protection from it. In Christ we are freed from sin and live in the righteousness of Jesus and not our own. We are changed precept by precept into the image of the One who saved us!
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
The gospel of grace is hidden from those who do not believe. It is only revealed by faith in Jesus Christ. Satan only wants to kill, steal and destroy those created by God for His glory.
Revelation 5:1-7 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
No human has the power, nor is worthy, to pay the price of salvation. Only Jesus the Christ, all man/all God, has the power to overcome sin and death. Only the sacrifice of the Lamb of God can save those enslaved to it. Jesus is the name above all names! Carla
Have you seen the documentary, War Dance? I recommend it.
The film centers on three children (Rose, a 13-year-old singer; Nancy, a 14-year-old dancer; and Dominic, a 14-year-old xylophone player). They are members of the Acholi ethnic group, living in the remote northern Uganda refugee camp under military protection from the Lord's Resistance Army, a group that has been rebelling against the government for the past two decades.
In 2005, the camp's primary school won its regional music competition and headed to Kampala to participate in the annual National Music Competition which included performing the Bwola, the dance of the Acholi. Over the course of three months, the film's creative team observes the three youngsters as they prepare for the event and gain their confidence enough to have them discuss the horrors they have experienced and express their individual fears, hopes, and dreams.
Nancy says, "When I dance my problems vanish. The camp is gone. I can feel the wind. I can feel the fresh air, I am free and I can feel my home. I feel proud to be an Acholi when I dance. You have to be fearless, like a warrior. In my heart, I am more than a child of war. I am talented. I am a musician. I am Acholi."
In a world heavy and uncertain, more than ever, dance and music are an essential part of our immune system for a healthy heart and soul and spirit. For hopes and dreams. They create a space for engagement, or more precisely, reengagement. I do know that I can let down my guard, my armor, which helps me (allows me) to remember and embrace a tender heart, and the capacity to embrace connection, empathy and compassion. All of which is alive and well inside. These are gifts that we have forgotten, or gifts that are too easily buried.
John Lewis’ reminder, “You are a light. You are the light. Never let anyone—any person or any force—dampen, dim or diminish your light.”
Let’s give St. Catherine of Siena the last word; and take it to heart...
I won't take no for an answer,
God began to say
to me
when He opened His arms each night
wanting us to
dance. Sabbath Moments
…we all need godly friends. And even more, we need God. He is the "friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). Friendships are important, sometimes lasting for a season and sometimes for a lifetime, yet our relationship with God is forever. Through the blood of Christ, we can draw near to God, and He can help us find friends to walk alongside as we pursue Him wholeheartedly. First5
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