Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday usually cause believers to meditate at least once each year on the foundational moments recorded in Scripture which outline our faith - the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Without the cross of Christ, we would not have a risen, living Savior.
• We are reconciled TO God BY HIS DEATH.
• We are saved FROM eternal damnation BY HIS LIFE.
• Not only ATONEMENT is made for us by His blood, but also ABUNDANCE of life by His gift of joy.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." - Romans 5:8-11
As believers, it is a needful exercise to regularly meditate on the salvation of our souls.
• When did you come to Jesus?
Remembering the damned condition of our souls before the time we accepted His great salvation will increase our gratefulness to our great Savior.
• What does the Bible say?
Reading and studying God's Word reveals to us more and more about our living Savior. The Gospel is interwoven throughout the pages of whole Bible - from cover to cover - not only in a single passage.
• Justified - declared righteous, innocent
• Saved - kept, preserved from wrath
• Renconciled - favor restored
• Saved - rescued, healed, made whole
• Joy - to glory, to rejoice
• Atonement - an exchange made
• Why do we "joy in God" as believers?
When we receive by faith God's gift of grace, His blood covers our sins. Therefore, when God views us, He sees Jesus in all His righteousness, not our depravity. There is no condemnation, only mercy.
Above this, He lives within us. The Holy Spirit guides, counsels, corrects, and comforts us.
In the cross of Christ, I glory.
In God, I rejoice.