Deeper Life #7

Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

—Hebrews 2:17

THE GREATEST WORK IN THE world is the work of Christ’s reconciliation of mankind with God. Sin put each one of us at enmity with God and God at enmity with us.

We have too often forgotten God’s hatred of sin. The consequence is that our sense of salvation becomes merely a sentiment; we presume that God, being love, will forgive any sinner at any time. But if we teach that people are saved by “simply looking to Jesus,” we are quite mistaken—unless we understand what the Bible means by looking to Jesus. If we declare that there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved, all well and good; but if by that we mean looking to Jesus as a representation of God, if we are “lost in wonder, love, and praise” as we meditate upon that fact, and if we accept that sense of wonder as a sign of our salvation—then we are deceived.

Beware of any teaching that says “loving Jesus” means that your soul is saved. This simply is not true, either in Scripture or in the common experience of life. There are scores of men and women who love Jesus, but who loathe the doctrine of forgiveness of sins by the shed blood of Jesus.

Prayer Thought: Gracious Lord, the love You expressed toward us through Your death and resurrection gives me hope. I praise You for it.

SUGGESTED READING: Hebrews 2