Im excited to write this article because I get to talk about the good stuff. What is the good stuff? Everything that Jesus provided for us on the cross. This is important information that everyone needs to hear because very few people realize all the benefits that Jesus died on the cross to give us. Psalms 103:2 tells us not to forget all his benefits. I will try to explain some of these benefits.
As I have mentioned before, since no one could fulfill the righteous requirement of the law, God sent Jesus to fulfill it for us. (Romans 8:3). That is how the old covenant could pass away, because it was fulfilled by Jesus. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). We will never be cursed for not fulfilling the law, because Jesus was already cursed for us.
When we have faith in Jesus, God is no longer condemning us, even when we sin. How can that be? Because God already condemned sin in the flesh of Jesus (Romans 8:4). He was condemned, so we wouldnt have to be. If God already condemned His Son, who He loved so much, He isnt going to punish and condemn us for the same thing. The sacrifice of Jesus was enough. He forgives all our iniquities (Psalm 103:3).
Jesus not only became sin for us, but in return gave us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Isnt that amazing? Instead of having to try to earn our righteousness like we did under the old covenant, it is freely given to us by faith in Jesus under the new covenant. Hallelujah!
Psalm 103:3 also goes on to say that He heals all our disease. This is a benefit that few people realize, but what a wonderful benefit it is. Jesus bore every sickness and disease on His body so we wouldnt have to. 1 Peter 2:24 says that by whose stripes you were healed. This is not just talking about spiritual healing, but physical healing and healing in every area of your life where you need it. God didnt want to see any of us suffer, just like we dont want to see any of our kids suffer, so He sent Jesus in our place to suffer for us. Jesus bore our griefs, sorrows, transgressions, iniquities, infirmities, and sicknesses on His body so we wouldnt have to (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:17). Healing is part of the atonement of Christ. Im telling you folks, Jesus is the real deal. Hes the complete package.
I know people are resisting that last paragraph. You are probably thinking, How can that be, because so many people are sick today? Hosea 4:6 says, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. How many people know and believe in this benefit? Many people think that God puts sickness on them to teach them a lesson, or else that He might want to heal someone or might not. Remember, things happen out of Gods will and it is His will for everyone to be healed. 3 John 2 says, Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. God wants us to prosper in every area of our life. Period. He has already provided healing and everything else we will need through the sacrifice of His Son. Our part is to receive these benefits by faith. Our faith doesnt move God; our faith reaches out and receives what Jesus has already freely provided for us on the cross.
People have a hard time believing these truths because they dont know the depth of Gods love for us. We look at ourselves, and dont think God would ever want to do those things for us. We think of Gods love like it is conditional human love, that He only loves us and gives us things if we are worthy to receive them. But Gods love is just the opposite. He has done everything for us and keeps doing for us when we arent worthy. It is a free gift. This is the unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor of God toward us through His Son Jesus. Grace cannot be earned, only freely received.
If everyone could grasp the extent of our Daddys amazing love, this love that passes mere human understanding, we would have no trouble believing that He wants nothing but the best for us. We need to get our eyes off ourselves and our unworthiness and look to Jesus, who died to make us worthy. God sacrificed His absolute best for us; His beloved Son. I pray for you to believe in that and to receive everything that Jesus died to give you. This is the glory of the new covenant!
Questions or comments? Amber can be reached at amberdeemiller32@gmail.com.
