Today's Verse: 1 Peter 3:18

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
— 1 Peter 3:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It sounds so simple and straightforward, doesn't it? Kinda like the newspaper headline about someone dying we don't know. Just cold, hard facts! But we know differently. Underneath this statement of grace lies the broken heart of God, the sacrifice of heaven, the brutality of supposedly religious men, and the searching love of our God who would not abandon us to the cruel "Deathmaster." For those who knew animal sacrifice, with its high personal cost and animal sacrifices, this verse is more than a headline: it is a "graceline." Once for all — no more sacrifices needed. Bring you to God — no more distance, no intermediaries between God and us. Jesus is heaven's open door and God's open heart saying, "Come home; we've been waiting for you."

My Prayer...

What words, O gracious Father, can I use to express my appreciation for your sacrifice and grace? I have none sufficient to say what I feel. But even in this realization, I know the gift of your Spirit ensures that you hear my words and my heart. Every good and lasting thing I have comes from your grace. Please receive my undying love and my heartfelt praise for all you are, for all you have done, and for all that you will be. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Vast and Wide, Large and Small' (Ps. 104:24-25)
"O LORD, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. ... Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:11
"Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Hears Our Cries' (Ps. 28:6-7)
"Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'In Your Difficulties, What Is Needed Most?'
"Dear Disciple, When life crashes in... when the world is hostile and dangerous... when your faith is under attack... when your life is on the line,....."

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Peter 3:18 — For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse