Remember!

May 29, 2011

Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside to remember our military men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country. Our fallen veterans who died for freedom are buried in cemeteries all around the world. These are important sacrifices and need to be remembered and honored.

There was another long ago who died for freedom. Some remember Him once a year in December, others in the spring, others at both times, and some once a week. However, He is either unknown or ignored by the vast majority of humanity. Even so, the greatest event in world history centers on His death.

Our soldiers have fought wars to free people from slavery and from dictators. The man who lived long ago died to set us free from slavery also. Of course, this is Christ Jesus. Jesus explained our freedom . He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36).

We earn death as the result of our sinning (Romans 6:23). Those who have accepted Jesus have now been freed from “the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). We were freed by Jesus dying for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3).

However, by our acceptance of His sacrifice, we have of our own choice become slaves of God. “But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:22-23).

To remember His great sacrifice, Jesus Himself set up a memorial. “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.” (Luke 22:19-20). This is done as a body or assembly every first day of each week. The first day of the week was the day that Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-6). The resurrection was the Father’s seal of approval that Jesus truly was His Son and able to offer Himself for our cleansing. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36).

Because of His shed blood, we are cleansed from our sins. Not just one time, but it is a continual cleansing as long as we walk in the light and have fellowship with God and each other (I John 1:7).

What is sad is that some have forgotten that cleansing. In the section on Christian virtues or graces in II Peter 1:5-9 we read, “For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins” (II Peter 1:9). The book of Hebrews talks about sinning willfully after knowing the truth. We read, “How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)

Let us purpose to remember our cleansing by the death of Jesus on the cross so that we do not forget what we have.

————————————-▼————————————-

Loving Father we praise and thank You, Father for the grace and mercy that we have because of Your love and the love and sacrifice of Jesus as well. Help us Father to always remember that great sacrifice and live our lives accordingly. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen. ~ Ed

Ed Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ed Wittlif, former preacher of Albert Lea Church of Christ in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a University Church of Chirst member.

University Church of Christ

Remember!