Suffering for Jesus Part 7
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: KJV Note: AMP=Amplified Bible; NKJV-New King James Version
It is no desire or design or determination for any true son or daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Jesus Christ to suffer at any level while we still reside inside of these feeble, fragile, and fractured physical bodies of ours. Knowing this, the Apostle Peter wanted to remind those early Jewish converts to Christ and all of us today (and of every era and generation since the Cross of Christ) that have been born from above that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered severely for our sins when He never had to, as it is written, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:" (1 Peter 3:18) (KJV). He voluntarily placed Himself inside of a human body that He created in order to pay all of our penalty for sin. The cost or the payment of sin before a holy and righteous God is death, as it is written, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) (NKJV). Death is what we owe God the Father for our sin and sinning against Him (physical death and eternal death, that is, separation from Him forever in hell and the lake of fire, as it is also written by the Apostle John with these words, "Then death and Hell [the realm of the dead] were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire🔥[the eternal separation from God]. And if anyone's name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire." (Revelations 20:14-15) (AMP), but Jesus Christ and the perfect sinless life He lived, voluntarily stepped in between the lake of fire for every human being, becoming our substitute for sin and taking upon Himself our sin and the wrath of God the Father poured out upon Him for humanities sin. So, Peter wants us to recount, recall, and remember this great act of sacrificial love 😍done for each one of us by our loving elder Brother Jesus Christ and in so doing walk through our trials, test, and temptations with patience and endurance knowing that we are not walking alone but that He is with us through every time ⌚of suffering and that any present suffering down here will be nothing compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us when we are made just like Jesus, as Paul the Apostle wrote to the Church ⛪@ Rome with these words, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:18-23) (NKJV). Jesus Christ is just and we are unjust, therefore, we owe everything we are to Him alone and must be willing to repay Him by submitting to His rule over our spirit, soul, and body while He keeps us down here on the earth 🌎as His ambassadors.
Here is what John Wesley had to say of 1 Peter 3:18, "For - This is undoubtedly best, whereby we are most conformed to Christ. Now Christ suffered once - To suffer no more. For sins - Not His own, but ours. The just for the unjust - The word signifies, not only them who have wronged their neighbours, but those who have transgressed any of the commands of God; as the preceding word, just, denotes a person who has fulfilled, not barely social duties, but all kind of righteousness. That He might bring us to God - Now to His gracious favour, hereafter to His blissful presence, by the same steps of suffering and of glory. Being put to death in the flesh - As man. But raised to life by the Spirit - Both by His own Divine Power, and by the Power of the Holy Ghost." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of 1 Peter 3:18, "The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore, 1. Jesus Christ Himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life, though He had no guilt of His own and could have declined all suffering if He had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was suffered to expiate (compensate or make reparation for sin) and to make an atonement for sin; and it extends to all sin. 3. In the case of our Lord's suffering, it was the just that suffered for the unjust; He substituted Himself in our room and stead, and bore our iniquities. He that knew no sin suffered instead of those that knew no righteousness. 4. The merit and perfection of Christ's sacrifice were such that for Him to suffer once was enough. The legal sacrifices were repeated from day to day, and from year to year; but the sacrifice of Christ, once offered, purgeth away sin. The blessed end or design of our Lord's sufferings was to bring us to God, to reconcile us to God, to give us access to the Father, to render us and our services acceptable, and to bring us to eternal glory. The issue and event of Christ's suffering, as to Himself, were these, He was put to death in His human nature, but He was quickened and raised again by the Spirit. Now, if Christ was not exempted from sufferings, why should Christians expect it? If He suffered, to expiate sins, why should not we be content when our sufferings are only for trial and correction, but not for expiation? If He, though perfectly just, why should not we, who are all criminals? If He once suffered, and then entered into glory, shall not we be patient under trouble, since it will be but a little time and we shall follow Him to glory? If He suffered, to bring us to God, shall not we submit to difficulties, since they are of so much use to quicken us in our return to God, and in the performance of our duty to Him?"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
No comments:
Post a Comment