The Word of GOD is indisputable! What JESUS endured on the Cross, He did for humanity! Like sheep, we all have gone our own way at one time or another in life. In other words, we leaned to our own understanding. But, as a Lamb led to slaughter, JESUS fulfilled the GOD-Head’s Redemptive Plan for humanity.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, [yet when] He was afflicted, He was submissive and opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth.” Isaiah 53:5-7 AMPC
Not only has JESUS fulfilled Their (The Trinity’s) Redemptive Plan for humanity, but He is now seated at the right hand of the Father and yet making intersession for not only Believers. Those who will yet confess that He is Lord and believe in the heart that GOD raised JESUS from the dead will be saved, and as promised, JESUS will give rest to the weary and burdened soul. GOD’S Word will not return to Him void! TRUST HIM!!!
All glory and praise to THE FATHER, THE SON, and THE HOLY SPIRIT – THE ONE and ONLY TRUE GOD – for The DIVINE Exchange! GOD made CHRIST who had no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of GOD in Him, as apostle Paul proclaimed in 2 Corinthians 5:21. The Divine Exchange that took place on the Cross was not only for us, but it was because of us. This is not to guilt or shame anyone. JESUS took that as well. For our former shame, we all who believe are forgiven. Thank GOD for Grace because “Grace changes everything!” (Dr. Nelson Dowdell-Underwood). In Him, we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).
Grace transforms us from the old man and makes us anew (a new creature) in CHRIST JESUS. I believe our transformation is a progressive metamorphosis. Just like the butterfly transforms from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages, we in CHRIST also transform (mature) in life from experiential stage to stage by the Grace of GOD through faith. As we grow through, by experience, life’s stages, we change. We can echo the apostle Paul, “when I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that (as I mature) I have become a man, I am done with (those) childish ways and have put them aside” (I Corinthians 13: 11, my emphasis added). Looking to JESUS, the author (originator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD (Hebrews 12:2), we persevere and overcome as we “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ” (2Peter 3:18).
In the Cross is HEALTH.
In the Cross is LIFE.
In the Cross is PROTECTION from enemies.
In the Cross is HEAVENLY SWEETNESS.
In the Cross, STRENGTH of MIND.
In the Cross, JOY of the SPIRIT.
In the Cross is THE HEIGHT of VIRTUE.
In the Cross is PERFECTION of HOLINESS.
There is no health of the soul, no hope of Eternal Life, save in the Cross!
(Thomas á Kempis, fifteenth-century theologian)
This poor girl cries; the Lord hears my cry, saves, and delivers me from my own self-destruction! Now, the JOY of The LORD is my strength in every trial life brings. You, I, we walk amid trouble, but the LORD preserves our life. He stretches out His hand against the anger of our enemies (anyone and anything the devil attempts to use to stop GOD’S plan for our lives), and with His right hand, He saves us.
Now may GOD, the Fountain of Hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope! (Romans 15:13 TPT)
Betty Hines
Betty Hines is a native of Southampton County, VA. She currently resides in Ft. Wayne, IN, serving as an Administrative Assistant in her church after she retired from 20 years of employment in Administration/Leadership in a local company.
She is very compassionate concerning the well-being of others, which is her reasoning for her Christian ministry studies at Cornerstone Christian Bible College, Int’l, where Dr. Oscar Nelson Dowdell-Underwood is the founder and President in
Ft. Wayne, IN. Her passion is to delve deeper and deeper into the Word of GOD to get the revelation needed to serve GOD’S people by intimately knowing GOD and His purpose and plan for all of humanity.
“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the LORD as the
waters cover the sea.” – Habakkuk 2:14 NIV