He Died, He Lives by John D. Morris, Ph.D.

“For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:10-11)

The chorus of the hymn “My Hope Is in the Lord” contains rich insight.

For me He died,
For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light
He freely gives.

Think about it—the immortal Creator willingly took upon Himself our deserved penalty for sin so that we don’t have to die. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Then, when God’s holy wrath was fully satisfied, He took His life back again. Only the great Creator of life could do such a thing, and now He offers everlasting life to us, undeserving as we are.

This never-ending life is offered freely, yet it is of infinite value. We have nothing comparable with which we can pay. Even the “good” things we can do are insufficient. “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). What can we do? Nothing!

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood” (Revelation 5:9). What a grand plan is His! JDM