THE WHOLE ISSUE

by Sumner Wemp

The Vicarious Death of Christ.

"The wages of sin is death" Rom 6:23. The whole issue of the Bible is did, the Lord Jesus, the sinless Son of God, suffer and die for our sins and pay the debt of sin in full or didn't He. God said He did. That should settle it.

This says it all

"For Christ also has once (once and for all, never to be repeated- so indicates the Greek) suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit" 1 Pet. 3:18. We are all in the same boat, we have all done wrong, we have all sinned, haven't we? "There is none righteous, (perfect) no not one" (not you nor me nor anyone else) Rom 3:10. If truthful we must all acknowledge that fact, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" Rom 3:23.

Christ died for our sins

That alone is the gospel, the good news. He did not just die on the cross. Those two thieves died on a cross. He did not just die for us. Those soldiers die for us on the battle fields but they did not and could not die for our sins. He paid the debt in full! We must understand and believe that to be saved. The good seed that was sown in Matt 13 fell on "good ground", "understood" and brought forth fruit. To produce the eternal "new Birth" every individual must "understand" what Christ really did on the cross and believe it will save him too. The vicarious death is essential to be saved.

"God laid on Him the iniquity of us all" Isa. 53:6 and He cried out "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me" Matt. 27:46. The answer is simple, He took our place, died for our sins, was separated from God, was buried but rose again, was seen by hundreds and now in heaven waiting for anyone to believe and receive Him personally. Have you?

Do it now if not, You are loved by God and me, All because of Calvary. sumner

Pray for Steve and his wife Alyssa. She is expecting and having a lot of morning sickness! Go to our prayer board and pray for others, add your request, let us pray for you. www.sumnerwemp.com and enter the drawing as well.

On this date in 1893 the first successful open heart surgery was performed. "Daily" God is performing an open heart surgery spiritually on any one who will receive the Lord Jesus and make them a new creature. Have you had this operation too?

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them. -- W. Clement Stone