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THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
1 John 3:1-8

1 Peter 2:13-21

 

“And took upon him

the form of a servant.”

 

THE PURPOSE OF THE INCARNATION
 
In a certain sense, there are many reasons why Christ came to earth. But as we meditate on a few of these reasons, it becomes clear that the ultimate reason for His incarnation was to do the Father’s will in working out salvation for sinful man. That the Lord came to sacrifice Himself for the sins of the world is made very clear in Scripture. He came to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). It was by the sacrifice of Himself that the sins of the world would be taken away (Heb 9:26; 1 John 3:5). This was the reason for the Lord’s coming. All His acts as a man on earth were to fulfil Scripture, and to be, and prove He was, the perfect sacrifice for sin.
 
The Lord’s desire was to do the will of God the Father and to finish all the work the Father sent Him to do (John 4:34). We see this objective expressed by the Lord in His prayer (Matt 26:39).
 
No man hath seen God at any time, but Christ came to the world to make Him known. The Lord told Philip that those who had seen Him had seen the Father (John 14:9).
 
The Lord came to give Christians an example to follow. Some have mistakenly thought that Christ came to be an example to the world. However, Scripture teaches that Christ came to save the lost by paying the penalty for their sins in His death. His life was meant as an example only to those who through faith have become the children of God. We are saved by faith in Him. But after salvation we are to follow His example (1 Pet 2:21).
 
Although the Son is God, He did not feel that position was more important than the salvation of mankind. He willingly gave up His heavenly position and became a man in order that He might die for our sins. This was the greatest act of love and humility that the world was ever to see (Phil 2:5-8).
 
THOUGHT: Am I following Christ in my daily life?
PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, for Christ’s sacrifice of Himself which offers me salvation and eternal life.

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