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Posts Tagged ‘atoning sacrifice’

Focus on God’s Goodness-Righteous Advocate

March 22nd, 2024 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Focus on God’s Goodness is found in First John 2:1 and 2.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

In the spiritual realm, Satan is the accuser of God’s followers and Jesus is our defender. This comes to light especially when we disobey the Lord. After Satan tempts us, he accuses us before God. He tries to shame us and condemn us. On the other hand, Jesus is the influence who motivates to trust and obey God. When we fall short, His grace is sufficient to protect us from condemnation. His love for us is very great, and His kindness moves us to turn back from the error of sinful ways to follow Him faithfully.

Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The righteousness of Jesus to defend us reveals the goodness of God and is a reason to give thanks in the Year of Gratitude.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Vital Step to a Radiant Faith-Turn to Jesus as our Advocate

July 19th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year to Shine, today’s Vital Step to a Radiant Faith is to turn to Jesus as our Advocate.

Grace is a wonderful gift from God, but it is not cheap. It came at the price of the blood of Jesus at the cross. Therefore, grace is not something to take for granted, but is to be received with gratitude.

When we sin against God, there is a place to turn for the help and hope that we need.

First John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus is able to forgive our sins, renew our joy, and restore our relationship with God to a healthy place.

Turning to Jesus as our Advocate is a Vital Step to a Radiant Faith that makes a difference in our world.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Light Reflection-I John 2:1-2 Advocate

April 14th, 2023 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Light Reflection is from First John 2:1 and 2.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

The Gospel gives us light for victory over sin. That does not mean that all sin stops in our lives when we give our lives to Jesus. There will be moments when we need to come back to God’s throne of grace to plead for forgiveness. The Bible says that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus is our defender. He is qualified to protect us from the accuser, so that our sins are not counted against us. He gives us victory over the penalty of sin.  He also gives us victory over the control of sin. He is the Righteous Master, who moves us away from sin and toward purity.

This Light Reflection inspires us to look to Jesus as our Worthy Advocate in the Year to Shine.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Freedom Phrase-Jesus, our Advocate

February 9th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on First John 2, verses 1 and 2.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Jesus took our sins upon Himself when He went to the cross. That makes a big difference in the courtyard of God.  The devil is our accuser. He is quick to pounce on our lawless deeds and pick apart our flaws and failures before God. But those who trust in Jesus for forgiveness have a strong defender. He is able to state the case for our innocence on His merit, not ours. When we trust in Jesus to save us, we become aligned to Him, and His righteousness is applied to our account before God.

Through Jesus, we are set free from the accusations of the enemy. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Moment Of Celebration-God’s Love

April 14th, 2014 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the power of God’s love.

According to First John 4:9, “this is how God showed his love among us. He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

God took the initiative to reach out to us with His love. The fact that He sent His one and only Son into the world reveals that He gave His very best for us. He knew what we were lacking, and provided the gift that we needed. Jesus is the expression of God’s love for us. He laid down his life as a sacrifice for our sins.

The power of God’s love frees us from bondage to sin and enables us to live in the freedom of His will for the purpose of His glory. If we say “yes” to Jesus as God’s plan to save us, then He will become our greatest joy and delight. We will learn to love Him more and more, and we will grow in love for other people, because God is love. His love transforms lives.

The power of God’s love is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com