Jesus took our place on the Cross and was punished for our transgressions, bruised for our infirmities and when he Resurrected he took victory and gave us Eternal Life. So that we cross from DEATH to LIFE in believing JESUS’ FINISHED WORK. Are you really applying this great exchange which took place in your lives and enjoying eternal life? Let us examine ourselves.
Titus 3:3-7 (NIV) 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
I – We were all Sinners by birth. Many have problem not believing this. Some say what great sin did I do? I was born and raised from a Christian family so I was good all the time. But the word of God says,
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8 (NKJV)) This should be our first realisation in JESUS that we are sinners and we need a SAVIOUR. So all who is born in this world as a child, you have Adam’s sin in your blood; that is why the second Adam Jesus’ pure blood got to be in you, which happens when you are BORN AGAIN believing in JESUS.
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, , 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3:5, 6 (NIV)) Everything good in us came free from God. Because no one is good except God alone. Mark 10:18(NIV)
II – Grace of God and our Saviour Jesus made us righteous not because of righteous things we had done. If we try to do good deeds and do many religious things we cannot be made righteous. Going to church or sacred place or doing some church activities or praying will not make us righteous.
Cain & Abel brought 2 different kind of sacrifices to the Lord God. Cain’s offering was his own work of the hands – fruits of the soil. –Fruits, flowers & veg. Abel’s offering was sacrificial first-born lamb representing JESUS. –Shedding of pure blood. Genesis 4:3-5(NIV) Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. That is why the LORD looked at the sacrifice of Abel as a special one.
a)We have crossed from DEATH to LIFE.
John 5:24 (NIV) 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.This is the Divine Exchange – Now we crossed from Death to Life. God gave us more than what we lost. We were separated from God. Now heirs of Eternal Life. Hallelujah!
b)From the day you heard the GOSPEL OF GRACE and accepted Jesus in your lives; you have entered into ETERNAL LIFE.
Christians are ready to believe that they are saved from the past sin, they believe one day in the future they will reach Heaven. But it is hard for them to believe that at present they can live a victorious life. Our GOD’S name is I AM THAT I AM. I am is present tense, not past or future tense. Our sins were completely washed away. Divine Exchange had taken place. JESUS became SIN who knew no sin so that we become RIGHTEOUS who knew no righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV) We need not struggle to please God, but just rest in Jesus’ finished work.
These three steps are required to receive the DIVINE EXCHANGE.
- Everyone should come to the end of himself, saying I am a SINNER.
- Everyone should accept the free gift of RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Everyone should know that he is pleasing to GOD only because of JESUS and not because of his own good works.