WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MARCH 22, 2022
TOPIC: CHRIST DIED FOR ALL
BY T. O. BANSO
âAnd He [Jesus Christ] Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole worldâ (1 John 2:2 New King James Version).
Jesus Christ died for all! I am happy that Christ didnât die for a particular denomination or for Christians only. He died for the world! 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says, âFor the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose againâ (New King James Vision).
The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). That scripture doesnât say God sent His Son to save Christians; He sent Him to save the world. Some Christians, by their attitude, tend to give the wrong impression that Jesus died for them alone. While some know He died for the world, theyâre indifferent that a large number of the people Christ died for are yet to know that He died for them.
Christ died for the world, not for Christians alone! Those who have received Jesus as their Lord and Saviour have a responsibility to share the Good News with others. They should tell them that God loved them and sent Jesus to die to save them. Instead of doing that, many behave as if Jesus died for them alone to enjoy good life because, after all, Jesus said, âI have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantlyâ (John 10:10b New King James Version).
That scripture is true but life in all its fullness or a rich and satisfying life is not promised to only those who have come to Jesus. Other people that Jesus died for are also entitled to this good life and should believe in Him to enjoy it.
No Christian should act as if he or she is unconcerned about where others will spend their eternity. The devil doesnât want the entire world to know that Christ died for them. But He died for them. âSatan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of Godâ (2 Corinthians 4:4 New Living Translation). We must use all biblical means to let everyone know that Jesus died for him or her.
Donât be satisfied that you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You should also work to see that others know what you know, and decide for Jesus as youâve done. Not to do so is to show you donât love them. Because Christ died for the world, He instructed His disciples then and today, âGo into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemnedâ (Mark 16:15-16 New King James Version).
Christ died for the world, including those who are currently fighting Him and His followers. He died for the sins of the world. âAnd He [Jesus Christ] Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole worldâ (1 John 2:2 New King James Version).
Through His death, we receive forgiveness of sins, justification, sanctification, healing, etc. Christ died for all but each person must receive Him and confess Him as His Lord and Saviour. âBut what does it say? âThe word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be savedâ (Romans 10:8-9 New King James Version). And as Jesus said in Mark 16:16, he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
God loves the world, not only Christians. He loves those who are worshipping other gods and wants them saved. Christ died for all, not only Christians. But each person, including you, must make a decision about Him. Accept Him and confess Him as your Lord and Saviour today. âThe Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceâ (2 Peter 3:9 New King James Version).
If you have given your life to Jesus, share Godâs love for the world through Christ Jesus to others. Share with them the message of salvation, which was preached to you and you believed. Trust the Holy Spirit to use you to save others from going to hellfire and bring them into the Kingdom of God. You cannot save anybody. Only Jesus saves. You cannot force anybody; God hasn’t sent you to do that. But God requires that you preach Christ and the message of salvation to others and the Holy Spirit will convict them and they will be saved. Be faithful.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Thank You, Jesus, for dying for me. I repent of my sins and confess You as my Lord and Savior today/I shall obey Your command to preach the Good News to the world. I will not be selfish about the message of salvation because Jesus died for all. Holy Spirit, help me to be a faithful soul winner.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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Website: www.cedarministry.org