Jesus – Our Substitute

by Larry Ollison | Featured Devotions

In order to understand or have knowledge of the blood, we have to know about it. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Hosea 4:6 says, “My people perish for a lack of knowledge.” It isn’t someone else’s people, but His people. God is telling us that unless we know the truth of His Word, we will perish. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the Truth.

Some people don’t like to dig into the scripture, verse-by-verse, and line-by-line. It takes time and diligence. But the Bible says all scripture is profitable for us to learn from, so we must take the time to study and unlock the mysteries of God’s Word. It just makes good sense to spend time understanding something that is going to profit us.

Our Justifier
We need to know we are redeemed from the curse of the law. The law is not gone, but we have been redeemed from the curse of it.

Romans chapter three says:

But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the prophets, namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ, the Messiah. [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.

[All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood – the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation – [to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.
(Rom. 3:21-26 AMP)

In verse 25, we understand that Jesus is our propitiation or substitute. Jesus took the place of the shed blood of animals necessary to fulfill the Old Testament law. We have only to accept the blood by faith to no longer be held accountable for sin. In doing this, God proved His righteousness. It says in His “forbearance” He chose not to punish us for past sins.

Verse 26 says He further proves His righteousness by even now showing He is just by being the One who justifies us when we have faith in Jesus.

What Paul is saying in this scripture is that Jesus became our substitute by His blood. There are other scriptures that show us this same thing. In Ephesians 1:7, it says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood….” In other words, we have been redeemed.

Source: Life is in The Blood by Larry Ollison
Excerpt permission granted by Larry Ollison Ministries

Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.

Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.

Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.

As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.

Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.

Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.

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