Document: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db931220.TXT
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    OUR DAILY BREAD                       Monday, December 20, 1993
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    Read:  John 1:1-13

                          A WORD FOR THE WORLD

              He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,
           and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
                              --1 John 2:2

    "And  not  for ours only."  These five words  from  today's  text
    sound  like  a  throwaway  line, an  afterthought  added  like  a
    footnote.  Yet in this small phrase lies the reason God sent  His
    Son into the world.

    Jesus  Christ  was  to be the sacrifice  for  our  sins.  All  by
    itself,  that  could make us self-satisfied, like members  of  an
    exclusive  club not open to outsiders.  Therefore, John  reminded
    us  that  Christ  died for everybody's sins, "and  not  for  ours
    only."  He added, "but also for the whole world."

    "And not for ours only."  If we keep those words in mind, we will
    avoid a misapplication of the doctrine of election.  "And not for
    ours  only" turns the church outward and makes us responsible  to
    take the gospel to the entire world.
     
    Evangelism  is  rooted in that five-word phrase.  Christ  is  the
    atoning  sacrifice for our sins, "and not for ours  only."  Well,
    then,  for whom else did He die?  Do they know?  Has anyone  made
    it a point to tell them?  Has anyone told them in terms they  can
    understand?

    Whenever  I get the opportunity, I want to give someone else  the
    best  news ever.  God sent His Son to pay the penalty for my  sin
    -- and not for mine only but for yours and the sins of the entire
    world.

    Author:  Haddon W. Robinson

                   How I wish that all would know Him,
                      How I wish that all could see
                     What a price He paid to save us
                        When He went to Calvary!
                                --Bostrom

    THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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    God gave you a message to share -- don't keep it to yourself.

    THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Peter 1-2





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