1 Timothy 2:5-6

Hello! The verse of the week is 1 Timothy 2:5-6 which states, "... There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all..."

These two verses teach us several very important truths. Just consider...

1. God and men need a mediator. A mediator is a person who brings two parties (or two people) together and makes peace between them. A mediator is a peace maker. The question is, "Why is there a need for a mediator between God and men?" The answer is simple.

God is the Righteous Judge.... men are guilty criminals.
God is the Law Giver.... men are lawbreakers.
God is the Holy Creator... men are rebellious creatures.
God is Perfect and Pure... men are sinful and corrupt.

Simply put, the relationship between God and mankind is not a good one. The relationship has failed miserably because men continue to rebel against God and ignore his laws and commands. There is a need for a mediator because there is no peace between God and men.

2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the one Meditator between God and men. The only way that a man can have peace with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ! Good works, attending church, and being a morally upright person does not make up for the sins that a person has committed. The Lord Jesus Christ said it best when he stated, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). A man who desires to have peace with God must turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no one else who can help you! He is the One Mediator between God and men.

3. A man can have peace with God because the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life as a ransom for all men. The good news the Bible contains is that the Lord Jesus Christ "made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20). Jesus paid the debt that we owe to God when he died for our sins on the cross.

He took the punishment upon Himself that mankind deserves.
He suffered for the sins of mankind.
He was pierced for the sins of mankind.

The result of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ is that you and I can have peace with God. Romans 5:1 states, "Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ." If you (the guilty sinner) will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and place your faith in Him to save you He will do it. You can have peace with God through the One Mediator who died for our sins!

Mark 10:45

Hello everyone! The verse of the week is Mark 10:45 which states, "... The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

This is a tremendous verse that summarizes the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe it will be best (and most helpful) for us to simply meditate on the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ GAVE His life as a ransom for many. The Lord Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for our sins when He went to the cross and placed Himself under the death penalty on our behalf! Someone once said, "He paid a debt he did not owe, because we owe a debt we could not pay." The response of a person who understands and believes this marvelous truth should be, "Thank You, Jesus." I'm just going to type a few more quick verses that speak of how Jesus voluntarily gave Himself for our sins that should elicit the same response, "Thank You, Jesus."

Psalm 50:6, "I gave My back to thsoe who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting."

John 10:11, 15, 18 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep ... I lay down My life for the sheep... No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself..."

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

Let's resolve to be thankful people who truly appreciate what the Lord Jesus Christ has done on our behalf!