Understanding why Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior paid the penalty of death on the Cross for all of our sins. Remember that Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Acts 20:28 tells us that we have been purchased by His blood. This is the consistent theme throughout the Bible, so it is important that we live free. Our freedom is not to be enslaved to the bondage of sin, instead it is to be free in the liberty of Christ.
Why did Jesus have to Die?
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We have all done things that are wrong, and we have failed to obey God's laws. Because of this, we have been separated from God our Creator. Separation from God is death; but, by ourselves, we can do nothing to become united with God. |
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Why Jesus Could Help |
Jesus was not only a man; he was God's unique Son. Because Jesus never disobeyed God and never sinned, only he can bridge the gap between the sinless God and sinful mankind. |
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Jesus freely offered his life for us, dying on the cross in our place, taking all our wrongdoing upon himself, and saving us from the consequences of sin - including God's judgment and death. |
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Jesus took our past, present, and future sins upon himself so that we could have new life. Because all our wrongdoing is forgiven, we are reconciled to God. Furthermore, Jesus' resurrection from the dead is the proof that his substitutionary sacrifice on the cross was acceptable to God, and his resurrection has become the source of new life for whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God. All who believe in him may have this new life and live it in union with him. |
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1. Remember the children of Israel wanted to reject their freedom and return to the iron furnaces of Egypt because of their discomfort in the desert. Their hasty desire to return to bondage is a good example of how we can abuse our freedom. The trials and persecutions that we face in our daily lives are small compared to the terrible agony that Christ endured on the Cross.
This freedom that we enjoy should not be confused with the Jubilee celebration for the nation of Israel. The Christian’s freedom occurred on the Cross of Christ and became effective in each believer’s life at the moment of salvation. The Christian salvation is based on Jesus Christ, God the Son, as the object of faith in our personal lives and nothing else. The Jubilee celebration centers on Israel becoming a nation and enduring as such for 50 years. The term jubilee is derived from the word "ram’s horn." In the days of old, God established a system of laws for Israel, these laws had several purposes including the separation and identification of a new race of people, civil laws, governmental laws and cultural laws. During the sabbath years servants had to be returned to their families and this was one of the ways that God used to maintain the Jewish race. The Jubilee year, also known as the "year of liberty" (Ezekiel 46:17) was proclaimed on the fiftieth year after seven cycles of seven years. This fiftieth year was a time when specific instructions about property and slavery outlined in the Jewish law took effect. (See Leviticus 25:8-55). The Jubilee year was launched with a blast from the ram’s horn on the Day of Atonement signifying a call to celebration, liberation, and the beginning of a year for doing justice and loving mercy. During this fiftieth year, liberty was proclaimed throughout the land. Special note: aren’t you glad that Christians are to show love, mercy, justice all of the time. The Jubilee year is a reminder of God’s concern for human liberty. God wants us to be free (Luke 4:18,19). Since Christ came from the Jews, it is important to note the historical significance of the Sabbath/Jubilee celebration; however, as Christians we must believe that our Jubilee occurred from the Cross of Christ and not the celebration of the law. Israel became a nation again on May 15, 1948 and there will be many celebrations, but we should celebrate our freedom each and every day.
You are free now.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the Glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5: 1-8
And He shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more cures: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: And they shall see His face and His name shall be in their foreheads, And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5
