For the death that He died, He died to sin
once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
He was numbered with the transgressors. § Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. § [He] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. § By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. § While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
Rom. 6:10; Isa. 53:12; Heb. 9:28; 1 Peter 2:24;
Heb. 10:14; 7:24–25; Rom. 5:8–9; 1 Peter 4:1–2
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. § The fruit of the Spirit is love.
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. § Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. § This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. § God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. § God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Jude v. 21; John 15:4–5; Gal. 5:22; John 15:8–10;
1 John 2:5; John 15:12; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:16
In the first home, the Lord God taught man the difference between right and wrong. Adam needed to know what his boundaries were, what was acceptable to God and what was not.
Can you imagine the chaos that would result if a multilane highway had no painted markings to give direction to the traffic? Accidents and confusion would be the order of the day. No one complains about or resents the markings because drivers know the painted boundaries exist for their own benefit and safety.
Today we are surrounded by a generation of people who have grown up living according to their own moral codes, defying the boundaries set by God. As a result, it is a generation with no peace or sense of security. Rather than inhibiting us, moral guidelines free us to live in peace and security. The statistics on crime, divorce, abortion, and suicide give eloquent witness to the danger of living outside God’s boundaries. He has drawn the lines – we need to stay within them!
What is the profit of circumcision?
Much in every way! § Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your hearts. § If their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt—then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham I will remember.
Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers. § In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. § You, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses.
Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and … put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Rom. 3:1; 3:2; Jer. 4:4; Lev. 26:41–42;
Rom. 15:8; Col. 2:11; 2:13; Eph. 4:22–24
The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” § The bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.
Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life … He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me … Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.
A new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh … let us draw near.
Matt. 27:51; 1 Cor. 11:23–24; John 6:51;
6:53–54, 56–57, 61–63; Heb. 10:20, 22
Jesus Christ was crucified as a criminal, as a blaspheming heretic, as an enemy of Rome and of God. What changed the world’s opinion of Him? Why does He go down in history as a good Man? Or a great Prophet? Why do people put their trust in a crucified Jew two thousand years after He lived on earth? The change in opinion was brought about by none other than the Holy Spirit Who convinced the world of the truth – that Jesus Christ was not only crucified, but that He rose from the dead! He’s alive! Jesus announced to His disciples that “when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of guilt . . . in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer” (16:8-10, NIV). The proof of the righteousness of Jesus Christ is in the fact that God didn’t leave Him on the cross, bearing your sin and mine, but raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, placing all authority in the universe under His feet!
Who do you know who needs to change his mind about Jesus? Pray for that person.
They are not of the world,
just as I am not of the world.
He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. § In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners. § That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.
Jesus of Nazareth … went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. § Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. § That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. § You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
John 17:16; Isa. 53:3; John 16:33; Heb. 7:26;
Phil. 2:15; Acts 10:38; Gal. 6:10; John 1:9; Matt. 5:14, 16
He who is of a merry heart
has a continual feast.
The joy of the Lord is your strength. § The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. § Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
By Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. § Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. § We also glory in tribulations.
Prov. 15:15; Neh. 8:10; Rom. 14:17; Eph. 5:18–20;
Heb. 13:15; Hab. 3:17–18; 2 Cor. 6:10; Rom. 5:3
