Monday Meditations: The Most Buying Power

Part of the wonder of the Bible and doctrines of the Christian faith is that there is always something new to learn, a new perspective to view.  You can read the same verse or hear the same principle over and over and yet hear it anew time after time.  It is impossible to exhaust the depths of Scripture and to know God wholly this side of heaven.  How awesome!  With that...

For years, I've believed that Christ died for my sins.  That He purchased me with His blood.  My sins are forgiven.  I'm part of His church.  He saved His own from eternal damnation.  Etc.  But Pastor Leake put two thoughts together and gave a fresh perspective on Christ's work on the cross.

"What did Christ do on the cross?  He purchased His church."


Seems like a simple question and answer.  But when you put deep thought into it, this perspective brings instant humility.  Here's the train of thought:

What did Christ do on the cross?  He purchased His church.
Purchased with what?  His very life.
Purchased from what?  Eternal damnation, separation from God, fiery punishment.
Who is the church?  A select group of people who believe in Jesus Christ and follow Him as Lord.
Who selects?  God the Father.
Based upon what?  Nothing that we have done.  It was His choice.
So then why on earth did He choose me to be a part of this select group that was purchased?  Uh....

Christ spilled His blood and endured the agony of the cross to purchase His church, a group of sinful human beings, from the eternal punishment we all deserve.  What He did removed His followers from the world and set them apart, righteous in God's eyes based upon nothing we have done but upon what Christ did.  Who am I to forget how AMAZING that is?  How precious salvation is!  How undeserving I am of God's grace and mercy -- and yet He still gives it!

With His death, Jesus Christ bought my soul from Satan's realm.  What an amazing perspective in which to present the work of the Cross.

Oh, victory in Jesus,
My Savior forever
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him