Thursday, 28^th September 2023

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: IN CHRIST ALONE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “For our sake he made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Is Christ Jesus and His death enough to be reconciled to God?

 

The very essence of the Protestant Reformation lay in its unwavering devotion to Christ Jesus and the adequacy of His mediatory role in salvation. This principle, referred to as Solus Christus, underscored the profound sufficiency of Jesus' death on the cross in reconciling all things to God (Col 1:19-20). The Reformers brazenly rejected the Papal belief that sacramental rites, acts, objects, and the role of Priests are efficacious in securing salvation and reconciliation with God.

Objections to the exclusivity of Christ Jesus in salvation are very high these days. People reject His Person (as truly God and truly man) and the fact that He is the only way to the Father.

In explaining the concept of reconciliation with God, Paul emphasized that this was exclusively achievable through Christ Jesus. He states, “For our sake He [God] made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). In Adam, all creation broke fellowship with God and deserved wrath. The solution necessitated the ultimate payment of sin's penalty, and it demanded a flawless, sinless sacrifice. What renders Christ Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross acceptable is His absolute sinlessness. As the Father's only Begotten, He inherently possessed the righteousness required for a perfect sacrifice.

Through His death, He bore the sins of the entire world, enabling us to attain the righteousness of God.

Dearly beloved, the only way back to God is through Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross. Jesus, boldly and unequivocally affirms, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The way to the Father is not through the sacraments, it is not through certain objects nor acts, it is not through any other person but Jesus. Giving alms and being regular with your tithes and offerings, with a consistent Church attendance cannot obtain salvation for anyone. All these outside Christ are as filthy rags before God. 

But believing and confessing Him as Lord through grace is sufficient to be acceptable before the Father.

Beloved in Christ Jesus, you are Christian because Jesus died for you. You are acceptable before the Father because Jesus died for you. Will you at this moment burst forth in praise singing: 

“My faith has found a resting place,

Not in device nor creed;

I trust the Ever-living One,

His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,

I need no other plea;

It is enough that Jesus died,

And that He died for me.”

 

Jesus has done it all for you, Hallelujah!

 

FURTHER READING – Colossians 1:15-23

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How much does the death of Christ and His resurrection mean for you?

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for accepting me in Your Son, Christ Jesus. That in Him I have eternal life and that I don’t need a device nor creed to be acceptable before You. Help me to live daily in this joy that Jesus paid it all, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

1 Chronicle 11; Ezekiel 24; Luke 21