Encounter the Truth

We have been brought together and made one people in Christ. Formerly Jews and Gentiles were separated – with Gentiles excluded from the family of God. But now in Christ and through his law-abolishing death, Gentiles have been brought near and peace and reconciliation have been achieved. We are one people, household, and temple in Christ. This moves us to gratitude, and it calls us to live out our unity together in peace.

We have been brought together and made one people in Christ. Formerly Jews and Gentiles were separated – with Gentiles excluded from the family of God. But now in Christ and through his law-abolishing death, Gentiles have been brought near and peace and reconciliation have been achieved. We are one people, household, and temple in Christ. This moves us to gratitude, and it calls us to live out our unity together in peace.

Continuing to unwrap our spiritual biography, Paul tells us that we were dead in our transgressions, doomed to judgment, and following the evil one. Out of love, God saved us by grace and even seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms, with the purpose that we should do good works. A great transfer has occurred – all of grace. This prevents us from boasting, and fills us with gratitude and praise.

Jesus’ death and resurrection achieve the ultimate victory over the grave. Because he died and rose again, we who believe in him share in his victory.

Sin bars us from God’s holy presence. But when Jesus died, the curtain of the temple was torn in two—indicating that sinners may now enter God’s presence through Jesus.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The Old Testament ceremonial system tells us that sin has a defiling effect. The blood of the animal sacrifices pointed to God’s intention to cleanse, but did not provide true cleansing themselves. But the blood of Jesus really does make defiled sinners clean.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

The cross is the place where God is able to justify sinners without violating his standards of justice—because Jesus bears the judgment of God in our place as our substitute.

Because Jesus has died for our sins and risen again, we can be born again and receive the Spirit. The is the great open invitation and offer of Easter.