Him Who Had No Sin

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What do you believe? Can you put the basis for your belief into words?  For me, the Nicene Creed does just that. It expands on the Apostles’ Creed and fills in some very important points on why Jesus came down from heaven. 

NICENE CREED

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds,  God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Lent is an awesome time of the year to reground ourselves in our faith. There are so many steps we take in the journey to remembering the crucifixion of Good Friday. Ash Wednesday, Lenten services, Seder Meal celebrations, Maundy Thursday are the strong traditions we hold dear. All draw our attention and focus to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are saved solely by the sacrifice of the Son of God. We are utterly dependent on that sacrifice. If we chose to think otherwise we have to ask ourselves how are we doing in living a perfect sinless life? As for me, I will take Jesus every day and twice on Sunday. I hope that is your choice too. Remember what you believe and why you believe. Not just during Lent, but every day for the rest of you life. It really matters.

PRAYER: Almighty God You alone are source of our salvation. We can accomplish nothing without your love. We who do not deserve Your love desperately cling to hope of salvation that rests solely in Jesus.You remember Your promises to all mankind. Help us to remember those promises when life would seek to weaken our resolve.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.