“Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God.”
, opening words (NET2)
Introduction
The Christian life begins with God's grace, not with our achievements. God sent his Son to deal with our sin and bring us into a restored relationship with himself. We receive this gift through faith in Jesus Christ.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we receive the forgiveness he secured through his death for us. Our sins no longer stand against us: we are reconciled to God, welcomed as his children, and given his Spirit. This is the joy of belonging to God under his new covenant of grace.
God's new-covenant promise brings forgiveness and relationship together: he promises to be his people's God and to remember their sins no more ().
Prayerful Meditation
- Ask God to help you understand what you read and respond with faith.
- Notice what encourages you, challenges you, or raises a question.
- Take your time. You do not need to have every answer.
Christ Suffered to Bring Us to God
Read (NET2).
18 Because Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, to bring you to God, by being put to death in the flesh but by being made alive in the spirit.
Forgiveness comes to us at the cost of Christ's self-giving love. Jesus, the righteous one, suffered for us, the unrighteous. His sacrifice deals with the sin that separated us from God. The words “to bring you to God” reveal the wonderful purpose of his saving work.
- What does this verse tell you about Jesus, about us, and about what he did for us?
- How do the words “once for sins” help you understand the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice?
- What difference could it make to know that Christ suffered “to bring you to God”?
Welcomed by the Father, Through the Son, by the Spirit
Read (NET2).
You do not need to understand every phrase on your first reading. Notice the repeated references to what God has done for us “in Christ” or “in him.”
3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. 4 For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. 5 He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will— 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. 9 He did this when he revealed to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth.
11 In Christ we too have been claimed as God's own possession, since we were predestined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will 12 so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory. 13 And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory.
- What do you notice about what the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have done for us?
The Father lovingly purposes our salvation and welcomes us as his children. Through the Son's blood, we receive redemption and forgiveness. Having heard the good news and believed in Christ, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit—the guarantee of the inheritance still to come.
Our confidence rests in God's grace, not in how impressive our faith or performance feels. Faith receives and rests in Jesus Christ.
Belonging to Christ and Living in Fellowship with God
Through faith, the Holy Spirit joins us to Christ. This is what we mean by union with Christ: we belong to him and share in the life and saving benefits he gives.
Because we belong to Christ, we can grow in communion with God—knowing, loving, and enjoying fellowship with the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit. We listen to his Word, bring our hearts to him in prayer, and learn to trust and obey him. These are responses to his grace, not ways of purchasing his acceptance.
Reflect and Respond
- Which truth from these passages most helps you trust God today? Is there anything you would like to understand more clearly?
- How might belonging to God shape one concern, relationship, or decision you face this week?
Take a moment to record your reflections and questions.
The Way Forward
Begin each day by remembering what God has done for you in Christ. Let that assurance lead you into prayer:
“Father, thank you for forgiving me through Jesus Christ and welcoming me as your child. By your Spirit, help me know you, trust your promises, and live today for your glory.”
Commit the opening words of to memory. Review them often and think about their meaning each day. During the week, return to the two readings and notice how they help you pray.
Coming next: Abiding in Christ—learning to live each day in the relationship his grace has given us.