GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 444 December 19, 2012
HE WAS BORN WITHOUT SIN
"He made Him who knew no sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him," 2 Corinthians 5:21.
The life of Jesus did not end after He removed sin; for, then He arose and gave us the hope of the Resurrection. Today, He sits at the right hand of God; as we read Hebrews 1:3.
"...when He had Himself purged our sins, sat down on the majesty on high."
In the birth of Jesus, we see that it is quite different than how you and I were born. Jesus came forth from a woman in the flesh; just like you and me, but there was no sin in the LORD.Why? Because, our LORD was housed by the flesh from Mary, all right; but, His Spirit was never subjected to the flesh nor, never did Jesus sin. That's why He is the Savior. Amen? Amen!
Further, in His birth, He was made the son of David, according to the flesh; "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Sprit of Holiness..." Romans 1:3, 4. Then, on the day of Pentecost, a Jewish holy day, the Father sent the Holy Spirit upon His body, the church. "On the day of Pentecost...suddenly there came a sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And thy were all filled with the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:2, 4 a.
Since Pentecost, the followers of Jesus have to serve by the power of the Holy Spirit. this is what Paul wrote in Romans 1:9: "...I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son..." We truly need to understand that we must have His Spirit if we are to serve God. Nicodemus was told, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God," John 3:3. Salvation is preached as a whole in God's word, I believe. And, we think, Jesus clears up what He told Nicodemus in. "That which is born of flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, John 3:5.
A bit confused, Nicodemus asked, "How can these things be?" (3:9). Jesus was saying that THE FLESH BEGETS FLESH. THE HOLY SPIRIT BEGETS OUR SPIRIT. UNTIL THEN, WE ARE UNDER CONDEMNATION. The answer is clear, to me. The birth meaning becomes opened up to us as we listen to Jesus take Nicodemus from the point of the flesh, to what He means, spiritually.
Jesus said that He came down from heaven and was lifted up; just like Moses lifted up the serpent. Jesus explains further in John 8:28: "...When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know hat I am he..." Everyone, personally, has to receive the life that is in Jesus, alone; which, comes only by belief. Otherwise, if we don't look to God's offering, we shall all shall die.
We believe that Scripture says we are born again by the Holy Spirit. Then, after we are saved (born again), we must enlist ourselves to His body, the church. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a difficult teaching for most; especially, for the saved. But, that's the way it is taught in Acts. How can we not teach what the Bible says? Study the Kingdom understanding and it will become clear.
In conclusion, the birth of Jesus was God's gift to save the world. He would pay for sin and save all that trust in Him and what He accomplished. The kingdom of God is coming and, we are to serve God properly. We must learn what this means. Only in the LORD'S house can we honor Him. "Unto Him be glory in Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end," Eph. 3:21.
As the title verse says, Jesus was made sin on our behalf. He had no sin, at all. Thus, "God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Jesus was born to die for sin and save us. He was made sin; in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Have you trusted in Jesus?
perish, but have everlasting life" (Jn. 3:16). Jesus was born to die for sin and save us. He was made sin; in order that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Have you trusted in Jesus?