I have a friend who won the conference championship in college football his senior year. He has a game ball signed by his teammates and a beautiful championship ring on display in his house. The thing is, he did not play a single down in that game. In fact, he didn’t play in any conference games that season. He got hurt early in the year and was sidelined for the remaining games. His injury prevented him from competing with his teammates and contributing to the team. But he still got the ball and ring that only the champions got. As part of the team, he got to share in what the team won even though he could not compete on the field. What he could not do, his team did for him, and he got to share in their victory.
In the passages we read today, we see Jesus in that kind of role in His baptism and temptation. He tells John that He must be baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). We see several times in the Old Testament story that going through the waters signified the people of Israel being set apart as a unique people with a redemptive purpose. Over and again, they failed to live up to their unique identity and fulfill their redemptive purpose. In His baptism, Jesus stood where Israel was supposed to stand, but where they failed, Jesus succeeded. He perfectly represented God and faithfully fulfilled His purpose. What Israel was unable to do, Jesus did for them.
In His temptation, Jesus faces the choice that every human has faced since Genesis 3. Listen to God’s voice or listen to the voice of the enemy. Live depending on yourself and what you can secure; or depend on God, and be sustained by His words. All of us, in some way, have chosen bread alone. Out of our sinful condition, we reject God’s voice, and give in to temptation. In His temptation, Jesus stood in the place all humanity stands, but where we fail, Jesus succeeds. What we are unable to do, Jesus does for us.
In His life, Jesus is a righteous representative for all of us who, because of sin, cannot be what God intended for us to be. The beauty of Jesus’s life is that He then shares His righteous life with all who, through repentance and faith, belong to Him. As Christians, we get to share in the victory that He alone earned, that through His grace becomes our victory.
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78 thoughts on "The Temptation of Jesus"
Jesus Christ died so that we can live . Because of Jesus he took on our sins that’s why it’s so important that we repent
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What struck me when reading the accounts of Jesus’ temptation again is that Jesus went with satan up to the highest point. Why did Jesus go with him? Obviously, everything He did was purposeful; and He likely knew what satan was going to do. I kind of let that sink in to understand the full weight. It was so Jesus could show satan His power and God’s glory over all else. Everything Jesus did in His ministry was point to the Father. That was a powerful reminder to me today.
Amen glory to Him
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I was thinking this exact thing!
I was thinking this exact thing. So important to be prayerful of everything as the enemy will use all means…
Amen I love the way you have highlighted this it is so true and powerful for the world can twist the scriptures but we know the truth.
Something that really made me think today was when Jesus was being tempted. When Satan throws scripture at Jesus he finally feels like he is going to be able to make Jesus stumble, but Jesus then comes back with even more powerful, truthful scripture!! This just showed me that the world can use scripture and twist it up to try and get a point across or even use the twisted up, out of context scripture to justify their sinful actions.
The Greek word traditionally translated “desert” or “wilderness” is erémos, and it doesn’t mean hot and dry. It means uninhabited, lonely, with no human population.
-DAVID RENSBERGER
I never realized how much of the wilderness is mentioned in both John’s ministry & Jesus’ temptation. When I think of the wilderness, I don’t think of it as a place to go before starting or even during any fruitful ministry. I picture a hot, dry, unfruitful place. A place that no one really wants to be. Yet, we see John baptizing people & preaching repentance in the wilderness! People were actually confessing their sins & repenting in the wilderness! Jesus Himself was baptized in the wilderness! We see Jesus’ victory over the enemy in the wilderness! We even see angels ministering to Jesus in the wilderness! Seems to me that, because of God alone, there can be fruitfulness & victory, even in the wilderness. How good & powerful must our God be that even in an uninhabited, lonely place, He can still move mightily!
Amen
What a wonderful goal, praying that you are blessed during what is sure to be a wonderful spiritual journey!
Jesus came to show us the way
The divine exchange that Jesus had with John during his baptism was definitely one of an eye opener that reminded me of His grace. Only Jesus could stand in for our sins. TYJ.
I want to be able to hear Gods voice more clearly in my life, I am hoping by choosing daily to fill my head with scripture that my heart will know his voice and let in ring louder in my life then my depression.
I appreciated the explanation of how we get to take part in Jesus victory! It’s not about anything we have done or will do! It’s all about Jesus and what He did for us! Amen!
Although Satan tempted Jesus for 40 days, we only know of three of these temptations. What do these tell us? 1. Satan knew Jesus intimately. 2. Satan attacked Jesus’ physical weakness (e.g., hunger). 3. Satan twisted the natural order in an attempt to usurp God’s perfect design (e.g., Jesus is meant to rule at the right hand of the Father, but only after the completion of his sacrifice and resurrection).
I take comfort knowing that Christ knows where my feet are. He understands the pains and difficulties of being human, and the temptations being laid before me. I am heartened to know that I can resist just as He did.
I have spiritual mentors in my life who are not in the word daily but know its message. The way they walk through life, abiding in Christ, they are truly a walking Bible. I also knew a Somali pastor who could quote the entire Bible, out of necessity, but he was tempted by the pleasures of this world. So disappointing . However the idea of quoting scripture in moments of despair is a powerful tool we’ve been given. When you find a life verse that speaks to you….write it on a note card and carry it with you….write it with those mirror markers on your mirror….it WILL come in handy.
I’m so thankful for this beautiful community of women.
Amen!!
So true Myla!
Sharing in your desire to know Scripture more deeply so recalling and applying it becomes an absolute natural response to my everyday life. x
Happy Friday She’s!
I find it crazy that so many fellow Christians don’t even read the Word! There have been surveys showing how small the percentage is that read a bible! We have so much access to a bible, and can even read it on our phones, yet other things such as social media can be more important to us. I am putting myself in this grouping as well until finding SRT 2015. (yay, for SRT) My mother actually passed away in 2014, and after that, I picked up my bible and started reading the daily readings and study guide because I had wanted to honor my mom seeing her read her own bible daily in her last years. Now I think…how can someone profess loving Jesus, yet not gobble up God’s Word to us. I know we are all in different spots in our journey with Jesus, but there needs to be a hunger and passion again! I mean…this is the Almighty God, and His Son Jesus, and then the Holy Spirit!! So Radical. Crazy. Huge. You know there are people in other countries that would die to have a bible? They are hungry to know our Jesus! They are being persecuted for proclaiming Him God!
(Not yelling or judging anyone here…just trying to show how we should see God’s Word, the Holy Bible…as something to eat up and absorb as much as we can, and meeting here at SRT is such an amazing way to read daily, have commentary, and connect with others, to lead, learn, grow, engage! Praise God!! Let’s try to be a little more vocal in our circle around us about how Great our Jesus is!! I am not afraid. The world will hate us. But we are His soldiers, the sowers, the prayer warriors, the examples.
Mercy, Searching, Kelly (Neo) and everyone who is praying for me thank you! Your words are truly an encouragement. Elaine I am praying for you. GramsieSue I am praying for you and Steve and your new grandbaby.
The enemies use of scripture further proves Gods truth and power. Even the enemy has nothing better to fight with. But do I use scripture to fight the enemy in my life? I’ve been trying to use worship music more lately and that’s getting close, but it would be better to be able to pull a verse out and direct it towards negative thoughts, challenges, upsets, loss of patience, tiredness, criticism, frustration. The more I can fight with scripture, regardless of what the enemy throws at me, God will he close to me.
“Listen to Gods voice or listen to the voice of the enemy”. Today’s readings is literally my current life. I really needed this!
Something interesting that stood out to me was how when Satan was tempting Jesus he used scripture! It was out of context scripture, but still! I see this so much in today’s times where scripture is being used in an appealing way but is not being used correctly in context. This is just another example that we need to arm up with our spiritual battle gear to identify and destroy! How many times have I allowed a verse to run through my head in a way where I try to tweak it to appeal to MY will. We really need to stop and pay attention and if we’re unsure if it’s from God or out of context we need to ASK and BRING it to Him in prayer. If pray ask He will answer! What a great lesson for me personally today. Thank you. Ladies have a joyful weekend and may you feel blessed and encouraged to better understand who Jesus was and is!
Satan has memorized Scripture to use it deceitfully against us. Jesus shows us that by accurately knowing and recalling faithfully God’s Word, we can stand firm against the devil’s Scripture twisting. I know this but I never truly thought about it before the reading today. I feel convicted. My memorization practice is, I’m ashamed to admit this, downright abysmal. Lord, help me be more diligent and intentional in memorizing Your Word so I can stand against the schemes of the devil. Amen
@Sarah D. @Taylor the rest of my post sent early. I completely agree it is hard to not get lost and angry when the circumstances aren’t what you had hoped for. Anxiety and depression is the devils strong on hold us. I am praying this will be a great year for all. Love the Hebrews verse ❤️. @Elaine praying for you! Gor loves you no matter your sin! Hang in there. Have a great weekend praying for all of you.
@Sarah D. @Taylor that would be so wonderful! I would LOVE that! While I don’t want anybody to feel how I’ve felt I do find comfort knowing we aren’t alone in our trials! Anxiety and depression are truly hard to overcome
Father in heaven, please teach us to be like Jesus in everything we do and say.
@Victoria E: I am praying for you. May the burden be lifted, worries & stress be removed by God’s grace. I pray you will enjoy your pregnancy and be filled with excitement and joy.
@Elain Morgan: thank you for sharing with us and allowing us to cover you in prayers (Philippians 4:13). When I feel weak, I usually think of the tragedy of the cross, that has paid for all the suffering and torment in each own right. And that helps me to overcome. The tragedy of GOD. He took it.
@Kelly Neo: thank you for what you wrote today. God bless your dear heart <3
@Sharon Jersey Girl: praying for the battle of the mind to be overcome.
@Kimn: it is very interesting that John the Baptist chose to live in the wilderness at the cost of comfort and convenience. That's a sacrifice. The Lord Jesus himself also was led by God's Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. Being led by the Spirit is a way God communicates…from my humble opinion. John was led to remain there for a longer season, how did John know how long he should remain? It might seem ambiguous but God reveals when we ask, we insist. He will make things known, moment by moment. The Lord has several ways to direct His body the church, Him being the head, sometimes through dreams (job 33:15) when men fall in deep sleep and God has man’s focus, through an angel appearing physically, through a desire that can’t be shut up in our bones (Jeremiah 20:9) to do certain thing. He can stir the desires of our hearts by placing His own desires into the hearts of those who are yielding vessels. Man’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water and He can turn it whichever way He will (Proverbs 21:1). And all those things are too wonderful and amazing to fathom. We might wonder, when is it us and when is it God? how to discern, there is a wonderful and lovely possibility that there is a point where God and man have blended and become One.
Be blessed dear sisters. Hugs and blessings to you all.
Wishing you the best of weekend!
Oh @TINA your words are so helpful to me today!!
No
Yes ASHLEY EBERSOLE! I love what you said! We do need to know our Bible better so that we can outwit the evil one. Actually, we don’t need to, Jesus does that for us, but we need to be able to take a stand and we can’t do that if we don’t know His word.
That stood out to me as well, Ashley. The devil uses what we want/need (ex:food when you’re hungry), our doubts, and scripture out of context. We must prepare for that battle with that armor of the one truth, God’s word.
I’ve been meaning to do an exercise where I write out all the lies the enemy tries to play me with. “You’re not worthy.” “What if xyz doesn’t work out?” [insert insecurity/worry here]. Once I take a moment to be honest with myself and have listed all of those, even the darkest ones (because those are the enemy’s favorites aren’t they), I want to search for specific scripture that’ll directly counter it. Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”
My goal is to complete my list and have my armor ready before the end of the year. Prayers welcomed. Happy Friday, y’all! Praying over this community.
Thank you Whitney. This is a great perspective on these verses.
“What we are unable to do, Jesus does for us.” This one sentence of the guest author’s says it all. Jesus is and should be the rock and foundation of everything I/we do; what else it there to say except that filled with the Holy Spirit, I’m able to go out and tell the world how “I Love to Tell the Story”, as the old hymn goes.
Be blessed and go out and “tell the story of Jesus and His love.”
“Over and again, they failed to live up to their unique identity and fulfill their redemptive purpose. In His baptism, Jesus stood where Israel was supposed to stand, but where they failed, Jesus succeeded. He perfectly represented God and faithfully fulfilled His purpose. What Israel was unable to do, Jesus did for them. …
Out of our sinful condition, we reject God’s voice, and give in to temptation. In His temptation, Jesus stood in the place all humanity stands, but where we fail, Jesus succeeds. What we are unable to do, Jesus does for us.” Beautifully written and challenging devo! So thankful that Jesus stands in the gap for me!
ALLISON BENTLEY – I jotted down almost the same thing! I looked up commentaries because it piqued my curiosity so much! The devil isn’t dumb, he’ll move on when he is resisted but is always looking for another opportunity. Jesus resisted using the Spirit and Truth (the Word)!
I needed this, this morning. A great reminder that Jesus answered temptation with the powerful Word of God! (Hebrews 4:12) I need to remember to do the same. My prayer for this morning is that God will replace all the “junkie” thoughts that are floating around in my mind that are tempting me to be angry and to fest and stew about things that can not be changed, and replace them with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, & admirable (Philippians 4:8)…I have a choice – “Listen to God’s voice or listen to the voice of the enemy. Live depending on yourself and what you can secure; or depend on God, and be sustained by His words.” Please pray for me, that daily I will make the right choice and listen to God and that I will use the Word of God as my weapon against temptation and the evil one!
@Elaine – praying for you, may God help you to overcome the temptations of the evil one!
@Taylor, @Kimberly Z. & @Sarah D – keeping you all on my list – that in God’s perfect timing, and if it’s his will He will bring someone into your life and that God will give peace and contentment while you wait.
Happy Friday all my She Sisters! ❤️
I am trying one more time, but on the website this time.
I think of fresh bread differently these days. Pre-diabetes has me on a low carb diet to avoid full blown Diabetes Type 2. But…. Even though I know it is not a good choice for me…. I still find myself giving in to temptation and eating that which will not work well for my body. It is a wonderful thing to dwell on Jesus’ temptation because where I fail to resist bread, sugar, tv, shopping, etc, He resisted. He rebuked. He is our perfect example and I want to start memorizing scripture that will help me respond to my temptations. Thank you She’s for all encouragement. I’m praying for all of you!
I fear it posted before I was done…. If so, I’m sorry!
I think of fresh bread differently these days. Pre-diabetes has me on a low carb diet to avoid full blown Diabetes Type 2. But…. Even though I know it is not a good choice for me…. I still find myself giving in to
Amen!
@Taylor and @Kimberly Z., I relate to you both so much!! I wish we could all get together for coffee/tea. I have learned a lot this past year, but one of the main things I learned is that even in the times of waiting, or wishing for things to be different, the Lord is constant. He doesn’t change. Even if he doesn’t change my circumstances, he is still good, and he will use this season for his glory. I was so mad at God for not taking away my anxiety, changing my job situation, or even not being in a relationship. Even though he didn’t change my circumstances (although praise the Lord, I am feeling better mentally), that does not mean his character has changed. My verse I want to focus on this year is Hebrews 12:1-2. To run this race with *endurance*, with my eyes fixed on Jesus. Praying for you all!
Amen Tina!
Thank you Jesus for the cross. For your Grace & Mercy.
Amen❤️
Perhaps slightly off topic but my curiosity was peaked by Luke 3:2 “…At this time, a message from God came to John son of Zechariah, who was living in the wilderness.”
After reading about angelic proclamations & instructional dreams during Jesus’ time as a baby, I’m curious how God sent His message to John that it was time to begin preaching! Was it God’s voice, a dream, an angel, some sign in the natural world since he was living in the wilderness? The Holy Spirit that he recognized while within his mother’s womb?
At the end of the day, I guess it doesn’t matter as ultimately the message was received and obeyed.
But praying that I be in tune to the Spirit and patiently waiting, receptive & obedient to messages from the Lord like John. In whatever form they take!
13 After the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from him for a time. – Luke 4:13 I have never noticed the second half to this verse. I have always believed Jesus defeated the devil’s temptations and that was it but this actually means the devil came back tempting Jesus. Wow- how often do I forget that the devil is ALWAYS at work!!! Lord help me to stay rooted in your word so that I can lean on your truths when the devil is tempting me!!! Happy Friday Sisters!!
Thank you dear sisters for your comments this morning (every morning), I found nuggets of wisdom and inspiration to pray about. Lifting prayers for spoken and unspoken needs.
Today lord I give you praise for you are all that I need Lord you are good!
8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’” – Luke 4:8
Today, I pray I will worship my Lord in all I do. Thank you that you are in my life.
8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.’” – Luke 4:8
It is sometimes so hard to fully trust in God rather than depend on my own abilities (or lack thereof). It is encouraging to know that even Jesus was tempted by this, but he still depending on his Father
Amen ❤️
Today I was struck but John’s role: to prepare people’s hearts for Jesus. He told them to share their excess, don’t cheat / extort, be content with what they have, and presumably more. All things that would later be taught by Jesus and the apostles. John encouraged people to practice habits that were in line with Jesus’ teaching BEFORE Jesus taught. There’s something to practicing habits in line with Jesus’ teaching that prepares our hearts for him. Not unlike some of the conversations we’ve had: spiritual disciplines/habits/practices like reading, faith, prayer, fasting etc. put us in a better position to see God and respond.
We cannot fight the evil one on our own, we need Gods word and to know Gods word so he can’t twist its meaning. So glad we have each other to learn and grow stronger in His word.
1 Corinthians 19:13 is a verse I memorized as a young adult. Christ made it possible for us to succeed.
Thank you to those who replied to me yesterday with wisdom and encouragement <3 I really appreciate this community! @Kimberly Z I too resonate with a lot of what you say and I think we're both in similar stages of life (I'm 27), so I am here for you! I filled out an interest form yesterday to join a community group at a local church that has a big young adult presence, so praying the Lord places me in the right group and I have the courage to go.
After reading today's Scripture and devotion, I think right now the devil is attacking my thoughts. With the anxiety I experienced last fall and now fighting lots of depressing/negative/self-deprecating thoughts, I can see the devil's strategy at attacking my mind. I want to choose to listen to God's voice over the devils, so I'm glad I feel in a good habit of opening my Bible and joining you all most days. @Tina I loved your comment about God's Word being the Bread of Life and how it "feeds the soul, enlightens our path, and keeps me grounded on my life's journey."
I also saw on TV yesterday when working with a patient the power of practicing gratitude. I've decided I want to end each day with identifying 3 things I'm grateful for. I don't want to give the devil a foothold in my mind so I pray (and would appreciate your prayers as well) that my mind would be filled with God's truth, His love, His grace, and that I would be able to identify the attacks of the enemy on my mind and speak against them like Jesus did when He was tempted. Love you all <3 Lifting up all the prayer requests!
ELAINE— I’m putting you in my prayers, sister. Know that you are loved and we are supporting you through prayers.
Amen
❤️❤️
@ashley Ebersole your comment about the devil reminded of a talk I heard Sadie Robertson Huff give. She said the devil plays two truths and a lie with us. By the time he shares the lie after “taking scripture out of context” he’s hooked us and we don’t see his subtle lies. Yes we need to be in scripture to recognize when he misuses it to take us down a spiral.
Elaine, praying for you! Thank you for sharing this request. I’m praying you will walk in the Victory Jesus has already obtained for you today!❤️
His grace becomes our victory! Amen!
❤️❤️❤️ This lesson is so timely for me today. I am trying to focus on repenting of a longtime sin and overcoming it. The temptations are always before me. I live with them everyday. I am encouraged by all of you and appreciate your thoughts and perspective on each lesson. Please remember me in your prayers as I stand up to the enemy and his constant temptations. ❤️❤️❤️
This part of the devotion really hit me this morning- “All of us, in some way, have chosen bread alone. Out of our sinful condition, we reject God’s voice, and give in to temptation.”
I know without a doubt that I have been forgiven for the times I have chosen bread alone, but still heartbreaking to think about. Looking up and forward and studying His word to guide me to make the right choices.
TINA – your words today are powerful in describing just how tempting “bread alone” can be. I could almost smell the bread coming out of the oven, and the evil one’s temptations are no different as he disguises sinful choices as something as good and desirable.
VICTORIA E – praying for you! I second KELLY (NEO) – enjoy all the firsts and cuteness of your little one each day. We will be praying for you on this journey.
COURTNEY USHER – praying for your family for the loss of your baby girl, and praise for the revelation you shared about the impact she had on your family, and connecting that with the changes Jesus makes on us, in use and through us. Thank you.
GRAMSIESUE – praying for relief of Steve’s pain, thankful your daughter and grandson are improving.
MARI V – praying you are safe with all that I’ve been seeing about the weather in California. And praying about your car.
TAYLOR – so true, He completes us. And having been married much longer than VICTORIA E, I totally agree with her that our relationship with Jesus prepares us for marriage.
After two failed attempts Satan uses Jesus’ method of using scripture, “Is it not written?”.
Satan will do the same to us, he will try to get us to take scripture out of context and misuse it to further our own desires. This knowledge motivates me to study and to know the Word of God better. Like a counterfeit bill, I need to know the real thing so well that I am able to spot the counterfeit.
After two failed attempts Satan uses Jesus’ method of using scripture, “Is it not written?”.
Satan will do the same to us, he will try to get us to take scripture out of context and misuse it to further our own desires. This knowledge motivates me to study and to know the Word of God better. Like a counterfeit bill, I need to know the real thing so we’ll that I am able to spot the counterfeit easily because I know the real one so well.
“Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance.”
Thankful that I have the gift of the Holy Spirit to help cultivate the fruit that shows that I have turned from sin.
VICTORIA E – praying for your anxious heart and that you will stay in the moment to enjoy all the “firsts” your little boy is doing right now.
SHEs who have experienced hurt from your local churches – I’m so sorry. As a member of the global Body of Christ, I hurt because you hurt. Praying the Lord will direct you to the place you can join in physical community
After two failed attempts Satan uses Jesus’ method of using scripture, “Is it not written?”.
I love that Jesus gave us an example of how to fight temptation. Speak the scripture out loud. Prepare like Jesus. Write his word on your heart. Have verses in mind for specific temptations that are common for you. And when temptations come, SAY IT OUT LOUD..
I love that Jesus gave us an example of how to fight temptation.
Lord, help us to produce fruit consistent with repentance today. Forgive us for the ways we continue to not measure up. Deliver us from temptation. Help us to live in the victory Jesus alone has earned for us. Amen.
Sorry, my finishing words were to be..
Man must not live by bread alone..
AMEN..
❤
Bread, freshly out of the oven is so wonderfully delicious and welcoming to the taste buds, don’t you think? It can be eaten on its own or with accompaniments that enhance that taste even more. ( mine is peanut butter, just saying). But, give it a day, and it begins to lose its wonderment and appeal, it’s not as good as it was when it came out of the oven.. hot, fresh and smelling good!
Bread, though, it is good for the physical body, what we see on the outside, it can only do so much in its energy giving, fuelling of the body or craving..
That wonderfully delicious and welcoming Bread, with its capacity to give energy, fuel the body, and relieve a craving, is only a temporary fix. A monentary thing..
BUT GOD..
Gods Word, the Bread of life. The life giving Bread is food for the soul.. His Word reaches the parts of the body mind and soul, man made Bread cannot reach or fulfill..
Now that’s what I’m talking about..
Psalm 119:105 says
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path..
Gods Word, is a lamp, always on, available and a highlight to the comings and goings of my life…
Temptations will come, yes even in the form of hot, fresh out of the oven bread..
BUT GOD.. Gods Word, is the bread that feeds the soul, enlightens our path and keeps us grounded on our life journey.
The beautiful thing about the Bread of life, Gods Word is.. it does not tempt, it faithfully, gently and lovingly encourages, guides, directs and teaches, never to harm or mislead..
AMEN..
First Friday of the new year, ✔! Check! Praying love, grace, hope and peace over each and everyone of you, my beautiful SRT sisters, and as always, wrapped in hugs..❤
Without the Father’s revelation of Jesus’s atoning sacrifice we would be dead in our sins.
I thank and praise God that by His Holy Spirit He revealed Jesus to me as my Saviour so that I can know that victory that He earned for me.