FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Faith Essentials

attendance, baptism and good deeds are important, yet the only antidote for this deadly condition is the Son of Man, Jesus Christ Himself, being lifted up and crucified on the cross. With that in mind, note that God responded to our sinful state with His gift of love . Scripture says, “For God so loved the world that he gave ” (John 3:16, emphasis added). Jesus’ sacrifice was a demonstration of absolute grace and mercy. We did nothing to earn this gift and we certainly didn’t deserve it. Jesus later confirmed this truth, saying, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again” (John 10:17). He was not forced to go to the cross. No one took His life. Jesus gave it because of His unconditional love for us. John, in his first epistle, builds further on this monumental event: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16). Although it’s not specifically described in these verses, it is important to grasp the suffering involved in this exhibition of love . Speaking to the disciples and referring to Himself, Jesus said that the Son of man, love incarnate, “must suffer many things” (Mark 8:31). He is the Lamb of God “that was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). One of the main words I would use to describe Mel Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster movie, The Passion of the Christ is bloody. Some might think, in typical Hollywood fashion, it was sensationalized. Yet the Bible says: “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). Referring to Jesus’ beating and crucifixion, the Bible says that “His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness” (Isaiah 52:14). Bleeding Love, performed by British artist Leona Lewis, is among the top singles of the 21 st century. Written by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder, it was the #1 worldwide hit in 2008. As you might SUFFERING LOVE

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