A PERFECT SHOW

Likewise, Christ only sacrificed Himself once to take away the sins of many people (Hebrews 9:28)

At the top of the pyramid of the Tenochtitlan temple in Mexico, the ancient Aztecs offered a cruel ceremony, namely human sacrifice. According to their beliefs, the sun god needed human blood to get rid of darkness so that dawn would appear.

Human sacrifice is a horror to us -- and even more so to God. That is why Jesus' sacrifice is so amazing. However, if we want to understand it, we will understand that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ is very different from the sacrificial ceremonies carried out by those who worship idols.

God's Word states that because of the fall of Adam, sin entered human life. And because God is holy, something had to be done to remove sin so that man's relationship with God could be restored. Jesus, who is God in the flesh, is the only Person who lives a holy life and can open the way to God by taking the punishment for human sin. And He made His sacrifice for us.

The Aztecs sacrificed humans, in the hope of dispelling the curse of the gods. However, the living and true God sent His own Son to die in our place, as well as to fulfill His demands for holiness and His essence which is love. Through His holy Son, Jesus Christ, we obtain the perfect sacrifice. But just understanding the truth is not enough. We must accept Him.

Have you believed in God's perfect sacrifice? -- JDB

OUR SALVATION IS GIVEN FREELY BECAUSE CHRIST HAS PAID THE PRICE

GOD IS LOVE

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1John 4:8)

A farmer placed a weather vane above his barn with the words "God is love." One day a traveler stopped near the farm and saw the weather vane moving with a gust of wind. With a grin on his face the traveler asked, "Are you saying that Allah can change direction like the wind?"

The farmer shook his head and replied, "No. I meant to say that no matter which way the wind blows, God is still love!"

The statement "God is love" implies more than just that God shows His love without being limited by the environment. That statement means that love is the essence of God's character. We can never fathom the depth of God's love--even in eternity. But John shows that we can begin to understand this if we look to the cross (1 John 4:9-10). When we see Christ dying there for us, we can catch a glimpse of how glorious God's loving heart is.

John explained that if God is love, His children should also be like Him (vv. 11-21). Consequently, if there is no warmth in our hearts towards brothers and sisters in faith, if we are not thrilled by the great name of Jesus, maybe the reality of the repentance we experience needs to be questioned.

Do we understand and reflect God's love? [HGB]

SOMEONE WHO KNOWS GOD'S LOVE WILL REFLECT HIS LOVE 

* Take from Daily Devotional