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Study 03 of 18

God's Abounding Grace, Part 2 — The Gift of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ became one with us in our sinful flesh to deliver us from the body of death.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Continuing the series on grace, this session explores the 'Gift of Jesus Christ.' Schofield addresses the common struggle of Christians who feel they are going in circles, unable to break free from the law of sin in their members. The solution, he explains, is not found in mental 'brainwashing' or presumption, but in the reality of the Incarnation. Christ did not just observe our misery from a distance; He 'emptied Himself' and became a partaker of our sinful flesh, being 'made under the law.' By becoming one with us, He took our 'body of death' to the cross. Because He was 'us' in our humanity, we were 'in Him' when He died and rose again. This study emphasizes that our deliverance comes through the 'faith of Jesus' exercised in our stead, as He provides the healing and restoration we could never achieve on our own.

Key points

  • Deliverance from the 'body of death' is found only through the gift of Jesus Christ, not self-effort.
  • Christ 'annihilated' Himself by taking on our human nature and becoming one with us in our pit of sin.
  • Jesus was 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' meaning He felt our specific weaknesses and frailties.
  • Our victory is secured because Jesus exercised His own faith while in our flesh, which is now credited to us.

Key texts

  • Romans 8:1
  • Galatians 4:4
  • Hebrews 4:15

From the book

Chapter 3 · Galatians 4 · Read this chapter

  • “We have a high priest which can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” (ch. 3)
  • “He was you right the way down to the bottom of that pit.” (ch. 3)
  • “God’s promise is that they shall mount up like an eagle.” (ch. 3)

Put it into practice

  • Meditate on the reality that Jesus took your specific 'body of death' to the cross.
  • Cease from 'chasing your tail' by trying to break the law of sin through your own mind.
  • Trust in the 'faith of Jesus' as the source of your righteousness and victory.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What is the common experience of a Christian who hasn't yet 'broken out' from under the law?

  2. Doctrinal Clarity

    2. What does the author mean by Christ 'annihilating' Himself?

  3. Scripture

    3. In what sense was Jesus 'made under the law'?

  4. Comprehension

    4. What is an 'infirmity' as discussed in the text?

  5. Contrast

    5. How did Jesus reach the 'bottom of the pit' where we were?

  6. Doctrinal Clarity

    6. What is the significance of being planted in the 'likeness of His death'?

  7. Scripture

    7. Whose faith is required to keep the commandments of God?

  8. Application

    8. How does knowing Jesus was 'you' in your darkest moments change your view of His love?