Why do we celebrate Easter?

An interesting question... And, unless you're a Christian, you may tend to believe its because spring is the time for renewal and re-birth, etc... IF you are a Christian, you understand that it is a celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, three days (Jewish days mind you - Friday was day one, Saturday day two - "he rose on the third day") after His crucifixion at the hands of those who opposed His ministry, and that is why it's observed on "Easter Sunday." Some, more fundamental-types prefer to refer to the day as "Resurrection Sunday" and this blogger is more than happy to be counted among them...

In order to get to the root of WHY Jesus went to the cross in the first place, I feel its necessary to define some terms that Christians throw around occasionally, but we might not always explain - while at the same time, there may be Christians out there who don't even understand the meaning of certain terms that directly apply to them, however, they are all found in the Bible, and are directly applicable in the lives of Believers...

My friend Shai Linne wrote a wonderful prose about the Atonement that Christ's sacrifice makes available to all mankind that I will now use to help illustrate...

Who is God?

God is the universe’s Creator and Sustainer plus the only Savior, there is no one greater... He's triune, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute, loving, sovereign and righteous are a few of His attributes...

How do we know this?

Well, we know this from the Bible - Where God has revealed Himself- anything else is just an idol...

What’s the Bible about?

Man’s complete ruin in sin - and what God has done in Christ to bring us to Him again...

What is sin?

Sin is the breaking of God’s law... Plus our condition, which means from birth we all got flaws...

What’s the result?

The result is by nature we’re God’s enemies - and must pay the penalty unless God provides the remedy...

What's the remedy?

The remedy is the cross of Christ - where He suffered all the strikes for the lawless type... I’ve been rescued by the Lamb, I’m convinced that He’s risen - and blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven!

And now a bit of an explanation of what happens in the event and application of atonement for those sins listed above...

Regeneration

The Holy Spirit’s true work in His love - to the elect, who receive new birth from above...

Expiation

Expiation means God’s removed my filthiness - the old testament type was the goat into the wilderness...

Redemption

We’ve been freed from slavery to sin - and His very own blood is the price He paid, my friend...

Propitiation

Propitiation means since the Lamb has died - His work is finished- God’s wrath is satisfied...

Adoption

Adoption means God is now my Father - I got the hottest Poppa and by the Spirit holler "Abba!"

Reconciliation means there’s no more enmity - God is now a friend to me, we’re no longer enemies...

Justification- God declares us righteous...

Sanctification- we’re being made into His likeness...

Glorification- that’s what happens at the finish - When God conforms believers perfectly to Christ’s image!

So now we've talked about the need for atonement, and the event of the atonement, so now we'll talk about how the atonement is applied to us...

God’s grace is magnificent, He slayed His innocent Son - through faith and repentance we get the benefits...

What is faith?

Faith is a gift from God- when we receive this we trust and treasure the person and finished work of Jesus...

Repentance?

Repentance is turning from your sin and trusting Christ as the Spirit cleanses you within...

What is grace?

Oh, grace is unmerited favor - Our inheritance major ‘cause we cherish the Savior... Right, and if I may quote again, we were doomed with Satan - but believers get Jesus’ righteousness through imputation...

Imputation?

God takes Jesus’ righteousness amount through faith He credits it into the Christian’s account...

Anything else?

Well, I guess this overview must suffice - but none of this is possible apart from union with Christ...

And finally, once you know the ways of the Lord than the only thing that you can say is "Soli Deo Gloria!"(For the Glory of God alone...)

(Click the Title of this blog entry to be whisked away to Shai Linne's blog to get your hands on more God-glorifying lyrics...)