Jesus, Our Savior

Key verse

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. JOHN 3:16-17

The world is filled with many different religions. In most religions, you have to do a series of things to “get to god,” whether that’s pray a certain amount each day, only eat certain types of food, make physical sacrifices, or follow a certain set of rules to a “t” in order to work your way into right standing with “god.” Do you know what sets Christianity apart from all other religions? It’s the only one where the deity leaves His throne to dwell among His people and sacrifices Himself so His people can be saved.

Where other religions expect people to work in order to earn salvation, the one true God of the Bible left His throne and came to Earth in the form of Jesus to save us from the wages of sin. Because of His great love for us, He came to rescue us—while we were still sinning and before we even acknowledged we needed to be saved. Jesus, the Son of God, came to live the perfect, sinless life we were not able to. He then died on the cross—a death we deserved. And three days later, He conquered sin and death and rose again in victory!

What does that mean for us today? Jesus gave us:

FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION (Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ROMANS 8:1)

HEALING (...by His wounds we were healed. 1 PETER 2:24)

A NEW LIFE (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17)

DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD (For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. EPHESIANS 2:18)

A PLACE IN GOD'S FAMILY (Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. GALATIANS 4:7)

Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Can you believe it? Not only is our debt fully paid, but His desire has always been to be near us and have a relationship with us. And from the very start, Jesus was that plan. He is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for saving me. There is no way I could earn Your love, but You give it freely as a gift. You gave Yourself to make a way for me to be a part of Your family, and I am so grateful. Today, I remember again what You have done and receive Your love and everything you purchased on the cross for me. Guilt and shame are gone, and I am victorious because You are victorious. Amen.