Sunday 12:27:09

Why did Christ die? So sins could be forgiven. Yes, but even more… 1 Peter 3:18 18For 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. “for sins” – Christ was the sin offering for atonement – He satisfied the wrath of God for our sins. “once for all” – a contrast with the OT yearly sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. And declares the complete sufficiency of Christ’s death. “righteous for the unrighteous” – Christ as the righteous one was uniquely qualified to die as the substitute for us. “to bring you to God” – The divine purpose for Christ’s sacrificial death was man’s reconciliation to God. Ephesians 2:17-18 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. “far away…near” – Paul is talking about how Jesus brought the Gentiles and Jews together. The Gentiles were far off from God and His covenants with Israel. Now they are united in Christ. “access” – Greek word is “approach”. The “privilege of approach” to a person of high rank. Romans 5:9-11 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. “justified” – declared righteous (“not guilty”, “but righteous”) “saved” – from God’s wrath “reconciled” – restored fellowship