Cursed in Order to Bless

21God made him who had no sin to be sin^b for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Thoughts: This is an important passage on the substitutionary atonement.  It incorporates the whole concept of the Old Testament sacrifice where an animal dies in our place while our sins are "transferred" on to the animal.  But the difference is that Paul is not talking about an animal, and a symbolic transfer.  Paul is speaking of Jesus- the infinite invaluable Son- who came as a ransom for us.  He paid the price to set us free- His life.
      In our Fellowship in the Fall study this week we are talking about blessing.  This is the greatest blessing that God offers us- a way to get past our sins and get into heaven.  Our mistakes, sins, and failures do not have to hold us back forever.  Jesus came to set us free.  He was cursed- made sin- in order to bless us.
     One of the great things we can do is to bless us others with forgiveness.  When we forgive others, there is always a price to be paid.  Someone has to pay for the sin- maybe the one sinned against or the one who does the sinning or both.  This week, seek to bless someone with forgiveness.

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for Jesus who gave Himself for us that we may be made right before you.