He [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13
Our Christian faith rests largely on truths expressed in “re” words. The syllable “re” means back to the original, retracing one’s steps, doing something again. Sin led the human race away from God, who in His Word of the Gospel bids sinners to return to Him.
The return to life with God was made possible by the atoning work of Jesus Christ called re-demption. By this act our Savior brought us back, yes, brought us back with a price. “In Him [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
The sinner’s restored relationship with God is presented in Holy Scripture from many points of view but the truth on which it focuses is always this: re-storation to God. Human enmity, which separated mankind from God, is ended, and so is the wrath of God ended, thanks to Jesus’ mediation. This is expressed in the “re” term re-conciliation. Through Christ we are made friends with God. “God … reconciled us to Himself through Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:18).
The validity of Christ’s redeeming, reconciling work is established by another “re” word: re-surrection. His deity is thereby attested. Jesus “was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). What is more, His atoning work bears the seal that suffices for our salvation. “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
To have the benefit of Christ’s obedient life, redeeming death, and verifying resurrection, it is necessary to believe. Saint Paul tells the jailer at Philippi: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). The coming to faith and the ensuing new life in Christ are covered by another “re” word: re-generation. It is the act of the Holy Spirit though the Gospel to make us a new creation in Christ. “[God] saved us … through the washing of rebirth (regeneration) and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
What other “re” words do you find in the Bible as pertaining to your salvation?
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord God, for Your acts by which I have been brought back to You. Amen.
(Devotions from "With Jesus Every Day" copyright 1997, CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For information on other devotional material, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit CPH at www.cph.org.)
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Kings 7-9 James 3
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