Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
The world is spiritually dark no matter where you look, but the bright light of Jesus shines: "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels ... that He by the grace of God might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9).
Here is a brilliant revelation of salvation through "much more abounding grace" (cf. Rom. 5:20). Satan may try to foist on us enormous, impenetrable darkness, but here the light shines beautifully: "Jesus tasted [the second] death for everyone."
No matter who you are or where you are sitting in your darkness of despair, this simple but brief revelation of truth is like a shaft of lightning on midnight darkness. Christ has already died your second death! That's the biggest truth you will ever confront. That's what Hebrews 2:9 says, a million highly trained theologians to the contrary notwithstanding.
Note what Hebrews 2:9 does NOT say: By the grace of God Jesus offered to taste your second death if you first do something to please Him. No! The Bible is clear: "God so loved the world, that He gave [not merely offered to give!] His only begotten Son" (John 3:16); the Father actually gave His Son to you as your Savior; and He "tasted [your second] death" when He "tasted" it for "everyone."
Along with the gift of Himself to you He has given you the freedom of your own choice to refuse the gift of Himself as your Savior, if you want to make that choice (it will break His heart if you do). Only one text comes to mind as soon as we say that: "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation" (Heb. 6:9).
Now, simply believe this real, solid truth. A heart appreciation of what Christ suffered for you when He "tasted" your second death will motivate you "henceforth" to live unto His glory forever. You will never tire of saying "Thank You!" This faith delivers you forever from that "fear of death" which has kept you "in bondage all [your] life."
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 29, 2007.
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