Olivia
Online
♱ ₿1ackSwan⚡️ ⚔️ 🤡 🌎
@B1ackSwan1
Seeker of truth, follower of Christ, individualist, defender of the Constitution and decentralization, concerned citizen! #Bitcoin Hodlr
⚡️[email protected]
Joined December 2020
606 Following
103 Followers
2.5K Posts
Pinned Tweet
Nostr public key: npub1ra5456yrem6h0h8tl8rqqsg3zae2vn35jr9jn8pmjl7grtfeq86qy9xmjd
No Tariffs on Bitcoin
Who to follow
My ₿itcoin Family
@mybitcoinfamily
I talk about ways you can weave #Bitcoin into everyday family life. Get on the list.👇
Garrett McDaniel 
@GfunkGarrett
I'm into theology, philosophy, psychology, and anything that can help me understand the world in a better way. #Bitcoin is the future. #Yeshua is the model.
HODLmars
@HODLmars
Humble pleb.
Use the tools.
The radical left is at it again. Same playbook:
1. They accuse anyone who says illegal votes are being counted of being a far right wing conspiracy theorist.
2. It turns out to be happening …
3. They AGREE it’s happening, but now that’s actually GOOD!!
4. They use lawfare and Dem election officials to force illegal votes to be counted.
This needs to stop.
There will be consequences for those who pushed foreign interference hoaxes.
The Hammer of Justice is coming.
@clownworld False Flag. We need to stay on top of this. They are just getting started.
Yes there is, Tim. It is called the U.S. Constitution. That is exactly what prevents the government from stifling dissent by labeling something “hate speech” or “misinformation.”
Yes, I understand, some forms of speech are repugnant, such as expressions of racial bigotry. Problem is, the category of hate speech expands to include everything the censors “hate.” As for misinformation, who decides what is true and what is false? The government? In authoritarian countries, yes, the government. That is why freedom of speech lies at the very heart of democracy.
Hooah!
People need to be arrested for the July 13 stand down. Who is most to blame?
What do we do if the globalist arrest @elonmusk
@realDonaldTrump
President Trump. Bitcoin is not a little toy we play with. It is a sound monetary base from which we can bring accountability to the government and keep the system from crashing. I am voting for you, but you need to listen to RFK's speech from the BTC conference and take notes. @elonmusk Grok 2 Beta is awesome. Image made with #GROK2 #OrangeParty #BTC
Bitcoin and the Battle Against the Anti-Christ's One World Government
In a world increasingly dominated by centralized power, the rise of Bitcoin offers a glimmer of hope for those who believe in the potential of decentralized technologies to safeguard individual freedoms. Drawing upon Christian eschatology, which foretells of a world government under the Antichrist's control, Bitcoin's unique features can be seen as a powerful tool in the fight against tyranny.
1. Decentralization: operates on a decentralized network, free from the control of any single entity, government, or group. In a world where a tyrannical world government seeks to monopolize financial systems, Bitcoin's decentralized nature stands as a formidable barrier against the consolidation of power. This decentralization ensures that no one can exert total control over the Bitcoin network, preserving the financial autonomy of individuals.
2. Transparency and Anonymity: Bitcoin's blockchain technology offers a transparent ledger of transactions while maintaining user anonymity. This balance of transparency and privacy is crucial in a world where surveillance and control over individual financial activities are prevalent. By allowing individuals to maintain their financial privacy while ensuring the integrity of the network, Bitcoin serves as a powerful tool against a system that seeks to surveil and control its subjects.
3. Resistance to Censorship: Bitcoin transactions cannot be censored by governments or financial institutions. In a scenario where a world government or the Antichrist attempts to restrict or control individual purchases and sales, Bitcoin would allow individuals to bypass these controls, maintaining their financial autonomy. This resistance to censorship is a fundamental aspect of Bitcoin's design, empowering individuals to transact freely without fear of reprisal.
4. Borderless and Inclusive: Bitcoin is a global currency, not tied to any specific country or government. This universality makes it an ideal tool for individuals worldwide to participate in a global economy outside the control of any single tyrannical entity. It's inclusive, enabling people who are unbanked or underbanked to engage in financial activities. In a world where borders and barriers are erected to control populations, Bitcoin offers a means of transcending these limitations and fostering global cooperation.
5. Security and Ownership: Users have complete control over their Bitcoin wallets. Unlike bank accounts that can be frozen or seized by government authorities, Bitcoin wallets, if properly secured, cannot be accessed without the owner's consent. This aspect ensures that individuals maintain sovereignty over assets, even in the face of a tyrannical regime that seeks to confiscate wealth and property.
6. Limited Supply: Bitcoin's capped supply of 21 million coins is a defense against inflationary policies that can be used by governments to manipulate economies. In a scenario where a tyrannical regime uses currency manipulation as a tool of control, Bitcoin's scarcity and deflationary nature protect its value and the wealth of its holders. This limited supply ensures that Bitcoin remains a stable store of value, immune to the whims of those who would use currency as a weapon.
7. Empowering Individuals over Institutions: Bitcoin shifts the power dynamic from institutions to individuals. In a world where a tyrannical government seeks to control through financial institutions, Bitcoin empowers individuals to have direct control over their financial dealings. By removing the need for intermediaries and empowering individuals to transact directly with one another, Bitcoin fosters a sense of financial self-determination and autonomy.
8. Aligning with Christian Ethics: The incentives and rules of Bitcoin align with Christian ethics by being a fair weight and measure. Bitcoin's decentralized nature and limited supply ensure that it cannot be manipulated by centralized authorities for their own gain. This aligns with the biblical principle of using a fair weight and measure, which is mentioned in Proverbs 16:11: "A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work." By providing a transparent and fair system of exchange, Bitcoin promotes justice and righteousness in financial dealings.
In conclusion, from the perspective of someone who believes in Bitcoin's potential to safeguard against a centralized tyrannical world government, its decentralization, transparency, resistance to censorship, borderless nature, security, limited supply, and individual empowerment are key features that position it as a tool for maintaining financial liberty and autonomy in such a scenario. As the world grapples with the rise of centralized power, Bitcoin stands as a beacon of hope, offering a decentralized alternative that empowers individuals to resist tyranny and preserve their financial sovereignty.
#Bitcoin #antichrist #oneworldgovernment #decentralization #deepstate
Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
ישוע הוא מלך מלכי המלכים ואדון האדונים
يسوع هو ملك الملوك ورب الأرباب
Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν βασιλεὺς βασιλέων καὶ κύριος κυρίων
耶稣是万王之王、万主之主
Jesús es el Rey de los Reyes y Señor de los Señores
Jésus est le Roi des rois et Seigneur des seigneurs
Iesus est Rex regum et Dominus dominantium
येशू है राजा सभी राजाओं और परमेश्वर सभी परमेश्वरों
Иисус - Царь царей и Господь господ
イエスは王の中の王、主の中の主
God Bless Bitcoin | FULL MOVIE https://t.co/uhmO9nLpMQ via @YouTube
Jesus Our Wonderful Savior
A personal testimony and presentation of the Gospel
“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden’” (Augustine). Like Augustine, I have found in Jesus a unique figure who towers above every other historical figure. Many have attempted to point to a way of salvation, but only Jesus said that he was the way of salvation. Jesus is the Savior of mankind and that is what makes him so unique.
I did not always know the Savior. Growing up, I had very little Christian teaching. In junior high I began to rebel against society. By the time I was eighteen, I was an alcoholic and a frequent user of drugs. I was angry, depressed, alone, lost, in darkness, without hope, and without God (Eph. 2:12). I was on a fast track to prison, insanity, or death. It was into this darkness that Jesus came and rescued me. I received Jesus as my Savior and my life was completely transformed. That was more than thirty years ago, and the Savior has never forsaken me. I love and admire Jesus more today than ever before, and I long for the whole world to know of the glorious salvation that comes through him.
But who is Jesus? What makes him capable of saving mankind? What exactly is he saving mankind from? How does this salvation work, and in what way will it change lives? In the following post, I will briefly discuss these questions. I cannot, however, answer them in full because these subjects are inexhaustible. Though we may study the person and work of Jesus Christ the Savior for all eternity, we will never behold the fullness of his beauty, grasp the completeness of his wisdom, reach the limits of his power, or fathom the depths of his love. He truly is a wonderful Savior.
Why Does Jesus Need to Be Our Savior?
“Something has gone terribly wrong. And everyone knows it” (Driscoll 145). Despite our continuous efforts, war, poverty, injustice, suffering, sickness, and death still plague mankind. All of these are a result of our fall into sin.
God created the world in a state of perfection and declared it all to be good. Mankind was God’s special creation – made in his image and likeness and given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1-3). God, man, and creation dwelt together in perfect order, harmony, fellowship, love, and holiness. This state of “universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight” is referred to as shalom in the Old Testament (Plantinga 10).
Deceived and tempted by Satan, our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, breaking that divine fellowship and bringing a curse upon the entire created order. Through their sin, death entered the world and all were made sinners (Rom 5:12). They exchanged the truth for the lie and the shalom of God for the wrath of God (Rom 1). Now, we are alienated from God, ourselves, each other, and even creation. Driscoll explains:
As a result of the fall, the descent into sin has continued unabated ever since. A respect for authority was replaced by rebellion. A clear conscience was replaced by guilt and shame. Blessing was replaced by physical, spiritual, and eternal punishment. Viewing God as a friend to walk with was replaced by viewing him as an enemy to hide from. Trust was replaced by fear. Love was replaced by indifference and even hatred. Intimacy with God was replaced by separation from God. Freedom to obey God was replaced by enslavement to sin. Honesty was replaced with lying and deceit. Self-sacrifice was replaced by self-centeredness. Peace was replaced by restlessness. Responsibility was replaced by blaming. Authenticity was replaced by hiding.
In short, we need saved! The world as a whole needs to be saved and brought back into shalom. We, as individuals, need to be saved from the results and consequences of our sin and brought back into fellowship with our creator. There is only one who can save us from sin and the wrath of God — Jesus! So with that wonderful name in mind, let us take a look at who this Savior is.
Who is Jesus That He is Able to Be Our Savior?
Jesus is the most well known, influential, and controversial figure in history. There are no shortages of opinions about who and what Jesus was and is. Some say he was a good teacher, some an enlightened sage, some a really good person. But what does God reveal in scripture about who Jesus is and why he came? What qualifies Jesus to be the Savior of the world? The biblical teaching about who Jesus is can be summarized as follows: “Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, and will be forever” (Grudem 529). Furthermore, it is Jesus’ unique identity as the God/man that qualifies him to be the world’s Savior.
In Philippians 2:5-11 we are given a beautiful summary of the person and work of Jesus in two stages — his humiliation and exaltation (ESVSB 2524-2526).
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:5–11)
In this passage we see Jesus as fully God in his preincarnate glory who, in an incomprehensible act of love and humility, laid aside his deity and became fully man. As fully God, he was sinless and through his perfect life of obedience qualified to be the unblemished sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 Pt 1:19). As fully human, Jesus rightfully became our new representative and succeeded where our first representative, Adam, failed (1 Cor 15:45-49). Subsequently, there is now one saving mediator between God and man — the man Christ Jesus (1 Tm 2:5).
What Did Jesus Do in Order to Save Us?
But what exactly did Jesus do to bring about our salvation? The Philippians passage goes on to say that this God/man, Jesus, became obedient “to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Furthermore, Jesus did not stay dead but he was resurrected from death and “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” It is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that he has procured the salvation of the world. The cross was a horrific way to die. Invented by the Persians and perfected by the Romans, crucifixion was designed to bring about death in the most painful, torturous, and humiliating way imaginable (Driscoll 245-249). It was to this fatal humiliation that God the Son subjected himself, but why?
The scripture teaches that Jesus died for our sin (Is 53:5; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pt 2:24). His death was a substitution for ours. The only perfect human who did not deserve to die, willingly gave his life as payment for the penalty of our sin, which is eternal death (Rom 6:23). God is merciful and always desires to forgive whenever possible, but because he is also just it is not always possible. As the judge of the universe he must punish sin or he would not be good. The Bible tells us that Satan, who has already been judged for his rebellion, hurls continuous accusations because of God’s forbearance in dealing with the sins of humanity (Revelation 12:10). Essentially he is saying, “No fair God! No Fair!” If it were not for Jesus’ death on the cross, Satan would have a valid objection, but because “God put forward [Jesus] as propitiation by his blood… [he is able to] be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3:25-26).
In order to save us, Jesus died on the cross, but that’s not the end of the story because death could not hold the sinless Son of God (Acts 2:24-34). Three days after the crucifixion of Christ, Jesus rose bodily from the grave (Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20). The resurrection completes Jesus’ work of salvation by proving that he is in fact who he said he was — the divine Son of God, and that God the Father has received his death on the cross as an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world. In addition to divine vindication, Jesus’ resurrection makes the way for us to experience new life and assures our own bodily resurrection from death (1 Cor 15:12-34; 1 Pt 1:3).
How Do We Receive the Salvation of Jesus?
Though Jesus atoning death is sufficient for all, it does not automatically apply to all. Everyone who has a faith that believes, repents, and receives Jesus and his work will be saved (John 3:16). Saving faith is more than mere intellectual assent or a naïve “beliefism” (James 2:19). It is a Holy Spirit enabled response to the gospel. As the Spirit draws us, he sheds light on our consciences and convicts us of sin, [God’s] righteousness, and the judgment to come. He reveals Jesus and convinces us of his saving work (John 16:8-15). As we turn in repentance away from sin and towards Jesus, the Holy Spirit sheds the love of God in our hearts bringing about genuine spiritual transformation called regeneration or the new birth (John 3:3-8; Romans 5:5). It is not our own righteousness, good works, or perfect doctrine that saves us, “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). If you want to be saved from the wrath of God that abides upon the unregenerate, come to Jesus with simple, trusting faith and receive him into your life as your dying savior and living Lord. Embrace the apostle Paul’s exhortation to, “…confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9–10).
How Will Receiving Jesus as Savior Transform Our Lives?
The moment you exercise saving faith and put your trust in Jesus, you will never be the same again. “…If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). The ways in which receiving Jesus as savior transforms a person’s life is literally innumerable, because through Jesus God has “ …granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Pt 1:3). However, in Romans 5:1-11 Paul gives us a concise list of some tremendous blessings that follow our salvation:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:1–11)
In our final section we will briefly unpack this remarkable passage of scripture.
First Paul says that our saving faith justifies us. Justification refers to that fact that in Christ we are declared not guilty. It is just-as-if-i’d-never sinned. We exchange our sin for Jesus’ righteousness through his substitutionary death on the cross.
Second, through Jesus we have peace with God. Prior to salvation the Bible teaches that we are God’s enemies and are at war with him. We fight against God and the very nature that he created us with and as a result experience turmoil within ourselves. When we surrender and stop fighting through repentance and faith, we know both objective and subjective peace. Objectively we are no longer at war with God but are now considered to be his friends. Subjectively we feel peace as the Holy Spirit bears witness to our acceptance with God. Additionally, we feel a harmonious peace as we cease to strive against our own nature which was designed to function in selfless love and reflect the image and glory of God.
Third, through saving faith in Jesus, we obtain access to God the father and his grace in which we stand. We are able to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV). The separation from God, caused by our sin, is forever removed.
Fourth, salvation gives us a joy “in the hope of the glory of God.” We have a deep assurance that God is in control of everything and that his plan for complete restoration of all things is unfolding in human history. Shalom will one day be completely restored to all of creation, and the Spirit’s presence and joy is the down payment of the future fulfillment of that promise. This living hope even gives the believer the ability to “rejoice in… sufferings, knowing that suffering produces” godly character and that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called for his purposes (Romans 8:28).
Fifth, we notice that the “Spirit has been given to us.” God actually comes to dwell inside the believer, leading, guiding, teaching, convicting, comforting, and empowering him or her. It is an amazing thing to think that we are the temples of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16).
Sixth, we are saved from the wrath of God. It is not popular to talk about God’s wrath, but making it unpopular does not make it untrue. God is love, and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:32), but in his justice he must punish sin. The wages of sin, outside of the grace and mercy available through Jesus Christ, is eternal death (Romans 6:23) in a place of torment (Matthew 13:41-43; 25:31-46). We must all choose whether we will stand before God in our own righteousness or in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Finally, Paul says that through Jesus we have “received reconciliation.” Reconciliation means “the removal of enmity and the restoration of fellowship between two parties” (Grudem 1253). We, who were once estranged enemies of God, have found our way home and have been reconciled and restored in relationship with our heavenly father. He invites you back as an adopted child and heir. He delights that you are home. He rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Welcome home pilgrim, the journey has been long, the road hard, but now you are with your God. Enter into the joy of the Lord Jesus, your wonderful Savior (Matthew 25:21)!
Works Cited
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Driscoll, Mark and Gerry Breshears. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010. Print.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004. Print.
Keller, Timothy J. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012). Print
Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1995. Print.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001. Print.
#Jesus #salvation #regeneration #bornagain #christian
![DigiMonk73's tweet photo. Jesus Our Wonderful Savior
A personal testimony and presentation of the Gospel
“I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are very wise and very beautiful; but I never read in either of them: ‘Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden’” (Augustine). Like Augustine, I have found in Jesus a unique figure who towers above every other historical figure. Many have attempted to point to a way of salvation, but only Jesus said that he was the way of salvation. Jesus is the Savior of mankind and that is what makes him so unique.
I did not always know the Savior. Growing up, I had very little Christian teaching. In junior high I began to rebel against society. By the time I was eighteen, I was an alcoholic and a frequent user of drugs. I was angry, depressed, alone, lost, in darkness, without hope, and without God (Eph. 2:12). I was on a fast track to prison, insanity, or death. It was into this darkness that Jesus came and rescued me. I received Jesus as my Savior and my life was completely transformed. That was more than thirty years ago, and the Savior has never forsaken me. I love and admire Jesus more today than ever before, and I long for the whole world to know of the glorious salvation that comes through him.
But who is Jesus? What makes him capable of saving mankind? What exactly is he saving mankind from? How does this salvation work, and in what way will it change lives? In the following post, I will briefly discuss these questions. I cannot, however, answer them in full because these subjects are inexhaustible. Though we may study the person and work of Jesus Christ the Savior for all eternity, we will never behold the fullness of his beauty, grasp the completeness of his wisdom, reach the limits of his power, or fathom the depths of his love. He truly is a wonderful Savior.
Why Does Jesus Need to Be Our Savior?
“Something has gone terribly wrong. And everyone knows it” (Driscoll 145). Despite our continuous efforts, war, poverty, injustice, suffering, sickness, and death still plague mankind. All of these are a result of our fall into sin.
God created the world in a state of perfection and declared it all to be good. Mankind was God’s special creation – made in his image and likeness and given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1-3). God, man, and creation dwelt together in perfect order, harmony, fellowship, love, and holiness. This state of “universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight” is referred to as shalom in the Old Testament (Plantinga 10).
Deceived and tempted by Satan, our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God, breaking that divine fellowship and bringing a curse upon the entire created order. Through their sin, death entered the world and all were made sinners (Rom 5:12). They exchanged the truth for the lie and the shalom of God for the wrath of God (Rom 1). Now, we are alienated from God, ourselves, each other, and even creation. Driscoll explains:
As a result of the fall, the descent into sin has continued unabated ever since. A respect for authority was replaced by rebellion. A clear conscience was replaced by guilt and shame. Blessing was replaced by physical, spiritual, and eternal punishment. Viewing God as a friend to walk with was replaced by viewing him as an enemy to hide from. Trust was replaced by fear. Love was replaced by indifference and even hatred. Intimacy with God was replaced by separation from God. Freedom to obey God was replaced by enslavement to sin. Honesty was replaced with lying and deceit. Self-sacrifice was replaced by self-centeredness. Peace was replaced by restlessness. Responsibility was replaced by blaming. Authenticity was replaced by hiding.
In short, we need saved! The world as a whole needs to be saved and brought back into shalom. We, as individuals, need to be saved from the results and consequences of our sin and brought back into fellowship with our creator. There is only one who can save us from sin and the wrath of God — Jesus! So with that wonderful name in mind, let us take a look at who this Savior is.
Who is Jesus That He is Able to Be Our Savior?
Jesus is the most well known, influential, and controversial figure in history. There are no shortages of opinions about who and what Jesus was and is. Some say he was a good teacher, some an enlightened sage, some a really good person. But what does God reveal in scripture about who Jesus is and why he came? What qualifies Jesus to be the Savior of the world? The biblical teaching about who Jesus is can be summarized as follows: “Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, and will be forever” (Grudem 529). Furthermore, it is Jesus’ unique identity as the God/man that qualifies him to be the world’s Savior.
In Philippians 2:5-11 we are given a beautiful summary of the person and work of Jesus in two stages — his humiliation and exaltation (ESVSB 2524-2526).
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil 2:5–11)
In this passage we see Jesus as fully God in his preincarnate glory who, in an incomprehensible act of love and humility, laid aside his deity and became fully man. As fully God, he was sinless and through his perfect life of obedience qualified to be the unblemished sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 Pt 1:19). As fully human, Jesus rightfully became our new representative and succeeded where our first representative, Adam, failed (1 Cor 15:45-49). Subsequently, there is now one saving mediator between God and man — the man Christ Jesus (1 Tm 2:5).
What Did Jesus Do in Order to Save Us?
But what exactly did Jesus do to bring about our salvation? The Philippians passage goes on to say that this God/man, Jesus, became obedient “to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Furthermore, Jesus did not stay dead but he was resurrected from death and “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name…” It is through Jesus’ death and resurrection that he has procured the salvation of the world. The cross was a horrific way to die. Invented by the Persians and perfected by the Romans, crucifixion was designed to bring about death in the most painful, torturous, and humiliating way imaginable (Driscoll 245-249). It was to this fatal humiliation that God the Son subjected himself, but why?
The scripture teaches that Jesus died for our sin (Is 53:5; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pt 2:24). His death was a substitution for ours. The only perfect human who did not deserve to die, willingly gave his life as payment for the penalty of our sin, which is eternal death (Rom 6:23). God is merciful and always desires to forgive whenever possible, but because he is also just it is not always possible. As the judge of the universe he must punish sin or he would not be good. The Bible tells us that Satan, who has already been judged for his rebellion, hurls continuous accusations because of God’s forbearance in dealing with the sins of humanity (Revelation 12:10). Essentially he is saying, “No fair God! No Fair!” If it were not for Jesus’ death on the cross, Satan would have a valid objection, but because “God put forward [Jesus] as propitiation by his blood… [he is able to] be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom 3:25-26).
In order to save us, Jesus died on the cross, but that’s not the end of the story because death could not hold the sinless Son of God (Acts 2:24-34). Three days after the crucifixion of Christ, Jesus rose bodily from the grave (Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20). The resurrection completes Jesus’ work of salvation by proving that he is in fact who he said he was — the divine Son of God, and that God the Father has received his death on the cross as an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world. In addition to divine vindication, Jesus’ resurrection makes the way for us to experience new life and assures our own bodily resurrection from death (1 Cor 15:12-34; 1 Pt 1:3).
How Do We Receive the Salvation of Jesus?
Though Jesus atoning death is sufficient for all, it does not automatically apply to all. Everyone who has a faith that believes, repents, and receives Jesus and his work will be saved (John 3:16). Saving faith is more than mere intellectual assent or a naïve “beliefism” (James 2:19). It is a Holy Spirit enabled response to the gospel. As the Spirit draws us, he sheds light on our consciences and convicts us of sin, [God’s] righteousness, and the judgment to come. He reveals Jesus and convinces us of his saving work (John 16:8-15). As we turn in repentance away from sin and towards Jesus, the Holy Spirit sheds the love of God in our hearts bringing about genuine spiritual transformation called regeneration or the new birth (John 3:3-8; Romans 5:5). It is not our own righteousness, good works, or perfect doctrine that saves us, “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). If you want to be saved from the wrath of God that abides upon the unregenerate, come to Jesus with simple, trusting faith and receive him into your life as your dying savior and living Lord. Embrace the apostle Paul’s exhortation to, “…confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9–10).
How Will Receiving Jesus as Savior Transform Our Lives?
The moment you exercise saving faith and put your trust in Jesus, you will never be the same again. “…If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). The ways in which receiving Jesus as savior transforms a person’s life is literally innumerable, because through Jesus God has “ …granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…” (2 Pt 1:3). However, in Romans 5:1-11 Paul gives us a concise list of some tremendous blessings that follow our salvation:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:1–11)
In our final section we will briefly unpack this remarkable passage of scripture.
First Paul says that our saving faith justifies us. Justification refers to that fact that in Christ we are declared not guilty. It is just-as-if-i’d-never sinned. We exchange our sin for Jesus’ righteousness through his substitutionary death on the cross.
Second, through Jesus we have peace with God. Prior to salvation the Bible teaches that we are God’s enemies and are at war with him. We fight against God and the very nature that he created us with and as a result experience turmoil within ourselves. When we surrender and stop fighting through repentance and faith, we know both objective and subjective peace. Objectively we are no longer at war with God but are now considered to be his friends. Subjectively we feel peace as the Holy Spirit bears witness to our acceptance with God. Additionally, we feel a harmonious peace as we cease to strive against our own nature which was designed to function in selfless love and reflect the image and glory of God.
Third, through saving faith in Jesus, we obtain access to God the father and his grace in which we stand. We are able to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, NKJV). The separation from God, caused by our sin, is forever removed.
Fourth, salvation gives us a joy “in the hope of the glory of God.” We have a deep assurance that God is in control of everything and that his plan for complete restoration of all things is unfolding in human history. Shalom will one day be completely restored to all of creation, and the Spirit’s presence and joy is the down payment of the future fulfillment of that promise. This living hope even gives the believer the ability to “rejoice in… sufferings, knowing that suffering produces” godly character and that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called for his purposes (Romans 8:28).
Fifth, we notice that the “Spirit has been given to us.” God actually comes to dwell inside the believer, leading, guiding, teaching, convicting, comforting, and empowering him or her. It is an amazing thing to think that we are the temples of the living God (2 Corinthians 6:16).
Sixth, we are saved from the wrath of God. It is not popular to talk about God’s wrath, but making it unpopular does not make it untrue. God is love, and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:32), but in his justice he must punish sin. The wages of sin, outside of the grace and mercy available through Jesus Christ, is eternal death (Romans 6:23) in a place of torment (Matthew 13:41-43; 25:31-46). We must all choose whether we will stand before God in our own righteousness or in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Finally, Paul says that through Jesus we have “received reconciliation.” Reconciliation means “the removal of enmity and the restoration of fellowship between two parties” (Grudem 1253). We, who were once estranged enemies of God, have found our way home and have been reconciled and restored in relationship with our heavenly father. He invites you back as an adopted child and heir. He delights that you are home. He rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Welcome home pilgrim, the journey has been long, the road hard, but now you are with your God. Enter into the joy of the Lord Jesus, your wonderful Savior (Matthew 25:21)!
Works Cited
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Driscoll, Mark and Gerry Breshears. Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010. Print.
Grudem, Wayne A. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House, 2004. Print.
Keller, Timothy J. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012). Print
Plantinga, Cornelius. Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin. Grand Rapids, Mich: Eerdmans, 1995. Print.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001. Print.
#Jesus #salvation #regeneration #bornagain #christian](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GTl8ZAMXwAAMw7M.jpg)
@saifedean Love you Saifedean and I 100% renounce the neocons and military industrial complex, but I never hear you mention anything about the true evil and agenda of radical Jihad. It is equally oppressive and demonic
@scottmelker Good start
Last Seen Users on Sotwe
ملكة الافلام 💋🎬
Seen from Israel
TW. ผู้บ่าวไทบ้าน 💕
Em beni
Seen from Turkey
BIG BOY BOOTY PALACE
Seen from South Africa
jonny ☠️
Seen from Oman
Turbanlı azgın
Seen from Turkey
🇲🇽Murillo🇲🇽
Seen from Germany
Adeline Lafouine
Seen from United Kingdom
gavat kocalar
Seen from Turkey
Mother Chud
Seen from Pakistan
Most Popular Users
Elon Musk
@elonmusk
241.7M followers
Barack Obama
@barackobama
119M followers
Cristiano Ronaldo
@cristiano
114.5M followers
Donald J. Trump
@realdonaldtrump
111.9M followers
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
107.2M followers
Rihanna
@rihanna
98.7M followers
NASA
@nasa
92.4M followers
Justin Bieber
@justinbieber
91.8M followers
KATY PERRY
@katyperry
90M followers
Taylor Swift
@taylorswift13
84M followers
Lady Gaga
@ladygaga
75.5M followers
Virat Kohli
@imvkohli
73.4M followers
Kim Kardashian
@kimkardashian
70.9M followers
YouTube
@youtube
68.8M followers
Neymar Jr
@neymarjr
66.4M followers
Bill Gates
@billgates
65.2M followers
Selena Gomez
@selenagomez
63.1M followers
The Ellen Show
@theellenshow
62.3M followers
CNN
@cnn
61.8M followers
X
@x
60.7M followers
✨
⭐
💫