Behold, the Man.

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Christ, Covenant theology, Forgiveness, God the Father, Holy Spirit, Righteousness, Salvation, Son of God

“Pilate went out again and said to them, ‘See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.’ So Jesus came out, wearing the the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, ‘Behold, the man!'” ~ John 19:4-5

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” ~ Acts 2:32-33

“Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? ‘It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.'” ~ Isaiah 63:1

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” ~ 1 John 3:8

“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” ~ Genesis 3:15

“You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” ~ John 11:49b-50

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:8

“…how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” ~ Hebrews 9:14-15

“…and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.’ And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain…” ~ Revelation 5:4-6

“The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!…He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head.” ~ Psalm 110:2, 7

Behold, the Man.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

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Don’t Apologize

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Apologies, Confession, Forgiveness, God, Sin, Truth

 

Don’t apologize–ask forgiveness.

Apologizing lets you hold on to the admission that perhaps you really weren’t wrong. All an apology formally does is acknowledge that you offended someone.

Requesting forgiveness, on the other hand, acknowledges and confesses that you actually have sinned. Even if you haven’t offended anyone, you have offended God.

Isn’t this why the Scriptures don’t tell us to apologize to God and to our brother, but to confess our sins to God and to one another? Apologizing often contains an excuse–asking forgiveness cannot. Asking forgivness is a confession of guilt as well as a request for pardon.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:8-9

So please don’t apologize; it’s a sign of weakness. Ask for forgiveness instead; it’s a sign of strength. It is strong people who are wrong sometimes. It is weak people who are always right.

God give us grace that we may not deceive ourselves, but walk faithfully in the truth.