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What benefits do we have as a result of Jesus’ substitution sacrifice for us? There are eight benefits listed in Psalm 103:2-8. Those benefits are forgiveness, healing, redemption from destruction, loving-kindness and tender mercies, good tasting food that renews and strengthens our physical bodies, the execution of righteousness and judgment against oppression, knowledge of God’s ways, grace and mercy when we need it.
"Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy." Psalm 103:2-8
What do we have to do to appropriate these benefits in our lives? Repent. Turn away from our sins. Receive Jesus Christ as our Advocate. For a person who has never made Jesus Christ Lord of their life, Jesus becomes their advocate when they receive Him as Savior and Lord. For a believer who sins, Jesus is their advocate when they confess those sins to him. The key to getting and keeping the victory is turning away from sin.
"that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ....If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness....And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 1:3,9;2:1
"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
When we disobey God, we sin. Sin brings with it a curse. In Deuteronomy 28:15-68 curses were listed that would come upon the Children of Israel for disobedience to God.
"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:" Deuteronomy 28:15
"The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just." Proverbs 3:33
Jesus was made a curse for us when He hung on the tree. When we repent of disobedience and take Jesus as our Advocate, we come under the blessing of Abraham.
"Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree'), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Galatians 3:13-14
Before we receive Holy Communion, we prepare ourselves for it by first searching our lives for sin. If we find it, we confess it and forsake it. (1 John 1:9) Then we are ready to partake of the Lord’s Supper. When we do, we receive our redemption from the curse of sin and receive anew all the benefits Jesus provided for us as listed in Psalm 103:2-8.
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:28-32
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
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