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The Plan
God's plan of Salvation rests on four theological pillars. Each is absolutely necessary. We do not always see them as clearly as we should. Perhaps they are not stressed adequately. The first is "The Incarnation." Scripture tells us "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." This is crucial. God had been allowing a sacrificial system. We are taught "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness for sin." To a point, a clean animal was sacrificed so the sinner was not destroyed for the sin he committed. Ultimately, there would be need for a perfect sacrifice. The blood of an animal does not actually forgive sin just delays the ultimate punishment. There was a deeper need. God provided that perfect sacrifice. The Second Person in the divine Trinity became that sacrifice. He was eternally fully God. He entered into humanity. He assumed a human body. In doing so, He became fully man. It was required He live a sinless life. He did so. So, as fully God and fully man, He qualified to be that perfect sacrifice. The Sacrifice needed to die in order to accomplish the payment and penalty for sin. Jesus went willingly to the cross. The full intention of Satan, using humans, was to kill the Christ. Jesus Christ allowed Himself to let this happen. He had told His disciples, "I lay down my life. No one takes my life from me. I lay it down willingly and I will take it up again." So, humans, under the direction of Satan, did all they could to kill Him, Scripture tells us He bowed His head and dismissed His Spirit. The body no longer contained the spirit. For all intents and purposes, Christ died for our sins, according to Scripture. The price and penalty of sin was paid. There is adequate evidence Jesus, The Christ was dead. On the third day, after crucifixion and death. The spirit of Christ re-entered the body. The body had been gloriously changed in order to become an eternal body. He was capable of doing things a normal human could not do. His body still bore the evidences of the crucifixion but He was now eternally alive. The crucifixion proved the sacrifice for sin was complete. Sin and sins were paid for. But now, this resurrection gives new proof that not only was sin paid for but the power of sin over humanity was broken. Jesus, the Christ, has abolished Death and brought life and immortality to accomplishment by His resurrection. But there is one more step. He would no longer live in this new body, on earth. He would need to return to Heaven. When He did this, the Plan of Salvation required Him to stay there and begin a new work. The work was intercession for humanity. He is eternally praying for those who follow Him and accept the Plan of Salvation. But, now the Third Person of the divine Trinity is sent to from Heaven to Earth. His role is to indwell every Believer. As a Spirit, He can do this. When He does, He internally provides comfort, guidance, conviction, strength to overcome temptation, and power to produce spiritual fruit. So the four pillars are: Incarnation, Perfect Sacrifice, Resurrection, and Ascension. We recently observed the memorial of Ascension Day. Unfortunately, we have not celebrated it as fully as we should have. Had Christ not returned to Heaven, we would be without intercession, and Holy Spirit empowerment in life.
Scriptures to Read
St. John 1:14-18 & 29-34
Galatians 3:26-4:7
St. John 10:17-29
St. John 19:17-30
St. John 20:1-18
St. John 20:24-31
Acts 1:4-11
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