25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.
vs. 24 - "bore our sins in His body on the cross" - Christ, the High Priest, offered a sacrifice that atoned for all sin, because it was a perfect sacrifice, totally without sin, without blemish. Remember, the sacrifices made on the altar in the tabernacle or temple were temporary, and had to be done every year.
Passover - Lev. 23:4-8; Deut. 16:1-8 an annual observance reminds us that Israel was freed from bondage in Egypt by the death and blood of an innocent. We have been freed from the bondage of sin by the death of an innocent and perfect sacrifice.
Atonement - Lev. 16:1-34 an Annual observance requiring a sacrifice to cleanse the nation of Israel of any sins or uncleaness that remained on them despite the regular sacrifices made during through the year. All of our sins have been sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. We can do nothing for ourselves, it had to be done by God Himself. This is no longer a yearly rite to be observed. The sacrifice by Christ was complete and total and eternal.
"die to sin and live to righteousness " - When we accept Christ, our old self dies, a new self is born of the Spirit. The old self is dead in sin, the new self lives for Christ. See: 1 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20. I picture the 'old self' on death row. Convicted criminals scheduled to be executed for their crimes are not immediately put to death. Instead, they live until all the appeals are exhausted. Our old sinful nature has been condemned to death - this has been true since the Garden of Eden. In our legal system a sentence can be commuted by a governor or President - the convict goes on to live, without any change in the essence of the person - they are still criminals, still guilty. Our old nature is on death row. God has declared the old sinful nature dead, ultimately, finally, completely. He has given us a new nature which will always live with Him, for eternity. Our new nature will be forever. By His death we may live. Until we go to meet the Lord in heaven, there will be the old nature and the new nature resides in us; the two will constantly be warring each other.
Living the Christian life is a learned skill.
I read that a bad habit never goes away, it can only be overwritten by a new good habit. ("The Little Book of Talent" by Daniel Coyle) The book is about how successful athletes get to be successful. Professional athletes are talented, no doubt, but they WORK harder at their craft than we amateurs. They work thousands of hours, tens of thousand of hours to perfect their craft. Amateurs practice a skill until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can't get it wrong. We need the same attitude toward our Christian life. It is not a fix-it-and-forget-it lifestyle. Because of our old sinful nature, we must work every day to live worthy of the price paid for us.
vs. 25 - "continually straying like sheep" - We are like sheep that have gotten lost, don't know which way to turn, without direction or purpose. Jesus, the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, gives guidance, direction and purpose.
Isn't the concept of Jesus being the Shepherd and Guardian wonderful! The one who created the universe cares enough for you personally that He wants you to succeed. He wants you safe. He wants you to live abundantly. John10:10 He is willing to personally instruct you in how you may succeed - He has given you the Holy Spirit to help and teach and instruct. The One who has legions of angels at His command to protect you, though He doesn't need them - He is omnipotent. He guards you! If Jesus is for you, there is no one who has a chance to harm you.
End of Chapter
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