The Just for the Unjust... Live for Him!

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit... through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. 

- 1 Peter 3:18;22

The Just for the Unjust. 

Read 1 Peter 3:18-32 

What is the true meaning to this statement? In today's world we hear phrases like... Give him what he deserves! She made the bed she lies in! Serves him right! Am I confused? The passage above doesn't seem to follow these concepts. In fact, it is the total opposite.

The Greek meaning for just/unjust lead us in a different direction from the definitions above....

• Just = righteous, observing divine laws, upright, virtuous, keeping the commands of God, innocent, faultless, guiltless, approved
• Unjust = descriptive of one who violates or has violated justice, unjust, unrighteous, sinful, of one who deals fraudulently with others, deceitful

According to these true meanings we could change the phrase The Just for the Unjust to...

• The Righteous for the Unrighteous
• The Not Guilty for the Guilty
• The Approved for the Unapproved 

Take a few moments to observe the picture above. Notice the gap that once separated man from God. Man tried to build an overpass with good works and obedience, but over and over failed. 

Why... Because only God could bridge the great divide. 

How... By sending His Son, Jesus, as our kinsman redeemer. 

Fully human Jesus lived, loved, breathed, forgave, suffered, died, and now lives at the right hand of His Father, our Father. Looking again at the picture, we see that without The Cross there is a gaping hole, an open canyon leading straight to the pit of darkness. The Just for the Unjust died and rose again, making this crosswalk possible. 

Last weekend my husband and I went to see the movie Courageous. Wow, an awesome, amazing movie that everyone needs to see! (Oh, don't forget to bring tissues!) Take a few minutes to watch this scene. As you view it remember 1 Peter 3:18-22.

The movie Courageous...

In this scene from Courageous, officers Nathan and David talk about dealing with guilt. Nathan alerts his friend that in God's eyes we are guilty, but in Christ, we find redemption.

It is so exciting to know that once we accept the gift of Jesus' salvation, The Cross bridge will never be removed! Sadly, many times we forget that Jesus, The Just, covered the sins of The Unjust: Past, Present, Future! Often we live in the guilt of the past, not accepting  His total forgiveness. Don't let the past hold you back from all God has for you. Let your story be used for His glory!

                                                                  

RLM NEWS... 

• Israel Trip Nov.3-17... Please pray for me as I prepare for the trip to Israel! Wow, I can't believe all the Lord has waiting for me to learn, grasp and absorb!
• Reflecting Him Blog Tour Give-A-Way...  Want to win the Grand Prize - A Reflecting Him Book, RH Video Teaching Series, CD An Invitation, and RH Leader's Guide? Total value is approximately $140! Don't miss this opportunity! Oct. 8th is the last day! Google "Reflecting Him Blog Tour Give-A-Way" and leave a comment on any of the participating blogs. One winner will be selected from the names of those who comment.
• Reflecting Him Special Release Prices... We are offering the Reflecting Him products at special prices for the months of Oct-Dec. Our heart is to get the Word of God into the hands of women around the world. Check out the RLM Online Store at www.reflectivelifeministries.org
• Share Fair 2012... Is scheduled to take place in September 2012. Many of you have asked that we schedule Share Fair in the fall. After five years in the winter season, we are excited to move it to a different time of year. Look for details to come soon!
                                                                   

From My Heart to Yours,

Carla McDougal