February 23, 2025
Introduction
Jesus Died to Save You From Sin
The Apostle John writes in 1 John 4:9-10:
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Note John’s emphasis on love. God’s love was manifested (Made visible, made clear, Vine) in us. Because of this love, He sent His only begotten Son into the world so we might live through Him. At this point, John explains what genuine love is. He writes, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” James Burton Coffman puts it this way:
This carries the thought, “notice just what love actually is.” John defined it, even in God’s love, as being not merely a sentimental fondness for the human race, but a gracious, unselfish and unmerited act of divine giving of his “only begotten Son” to save people from eternal death. As [David] Smith said: The love which proves us children of God is not native to our hearts. It is inspired by the amazing love of God manifested in the Incarnation, the infinite Sacrifice of His Son’s life and death.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:8-9:
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
What love!
It is as Jesus Himself said to Nicodemus in John 3:14-15:
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
Notice the imperative – “even so must the Son of Man be lifted up…” “Son of Man” is a name Jesus often called Himself. It means that He is both God and man. But, He must be lifted up as the serpent was lifted in the wilderness. This refers to a time when God’s people complained that they had no food, except that which God had provided for them, of which they said, “we loathe this miserable food” (Num. 21:4-9). As punishment for speaking against God, “The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.” God instructed Moses to place a brazen serpent on a standard (or pole) and those who were bitten by these venomous reptiles, when they looked upon the brazen serpent lived. Now, in John 3, Jesus says He must be l lifted up as was the bronze snake. Both were lifted up to save men – those in the wilderness received physical life, and those who are saved by Jesus receive spiritual life.
Jesus continues in John 3:16-17:
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
God sent His Son to be lifted up on the cross to die for sinful man because He loves us!
Conclusion
Paul writes in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Have you been saved by Jesus’ death? Why not contact a member of the church of Christ near you, who will be happy to study God’s Word with you to learn what you need to do to be saved?
