RPG Adults
THE ACTIVE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST
LORD’S DAY, JULY 14
Hebrews 2:5-18
2 John 6-11
“He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
he hath both the Father and the Son.”
THE ACTIVE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST
The active obedience of Christ secured salvation for the human race. Part of this active obedience was the assumption of human flesh. The declaration of the fact that He came in the flesh was repeated. It was a point of dispute at the time of the writing of this epistle. John in his epistles written about the same time stressed the importance of believing that Jesus Christ came in the flesh. Many Jews in positions of authority on religious matters were opposed to the representation of Christ as the Old Testament Messiah. They could not reconcile this because they held a negative view of Him due to their carnal nature. In assuming human form, He was liable to death. However, it is in this state that He showed that He can have victory over death. Christ did not take the form of angels, but the seed of Abraham. This is brought up because His descent in the flesh can be traced to this patriarch. It was to Abraham that the promise was made that through him would all the families of the earth be blessed. The fulfilment of this promise came through Jesus Christ.
Jesus delivered them who were subject to bondage. The offer of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ was needful after the transgression of Adam. All his descendants were born in sin and only Christ could set them free. In this He became the faithful High Priest to make reconciliation for the people. The work of the high priest was well known in the old order of worship. His function was part of the ceremonial law that Christ came to fulfil. As this epistle progresses, more will be said of the function of the high priest.
Christ suffered and was tempted, thus He is able to succour those that are tempted. The answer of Christ when tempted was “it is written,” thus overcoming the devil by the Word of God. Christ also went through other forms of negative reactions that oppress mankind, but He had answers for all of them. This qualifies Him as a worthy substitute for sinners in dispensing God’s grace.
THOUGHT: Obedience is a virtue for every child of God.
PRAYER: Father, may I learn to be an obedient child to Thee.