What Jesus did for us

https://odb.org/2025/10/31/what-jesus-did-for-us

Ephesians 1:5–7 (NIV): 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Jimmy didn’t have to work to earn his inclusion on the trip because his dad was paying his way. As believers in Jesus, we also don’t rely on our good works as the basis of our inclusion in heaven. We’re granted access because of Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf. “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), and Jesus’ own blood was the “payment,” releasing us from our debt to Him. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7). He opened the way for whoever believes in Him to “not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Christ’s work and our trust in that work allows us to be with Him for eternity. (Karen Huang, ODB 31 Oct 2025)

I am sure by now everyone knows this basic doctrine of our faith that we are saved by God’s grace for us through the work of Jesus on the cross. That is why He is worthy of our praise and worship. His name is worthy. He is the Lamb of God sacrificed by God to redeem us from our sins, which started from the original sin of Adam in Eden and He paved the way for us to one day enter Eden Recreated as revealed in Revelation 22. That’s the essence of John 3:16 that for God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have life everlasting.

The notable difference between our lives and that of Jimmy in today’s ODB life story is that while his dad paid his way like Jesus did for our spiritual lives, we can’t just sit on the bus and do nothing. We are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus once we have been saved, there is an expectation from Jesus that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1), which is our spiritual act of worship. For as James wrote, faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Once saved and put on the bus or boat to eternal life, we need to both become morally upright (per Romans 12:1) and do good works (per James 2:17).

If we sit tight and do nothing, don’t attend church or serve God, will our salvation be forfeited? No, the doctrine doesn’t say so and it is not for me or you to judge. Just that it certainly looks like we are taking God’s grace for granted. We are not giving Jesus the respect and worthiness He deserves. Or worse it may look like we are just putting down or making insignificant His death on the cross for our sins. A whole lot of negative implications or perceptions towards us if we were to do nothing.

As we end this week, I pray for a good Sunday worship service this weekend for everyone. Great if you’re serving, persevere on for His name’s sake. If you’re just a part of the congregation this Sunday, make sure we make the effort to attend. Just attending is a strong encouragement for others. At least we are not sitting tight and doing nothing! Praise the Lord!