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Matthew 10:34–39

From the Confessions

The Nicene Creed: “by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried”

Pulling It Together: We have covered most of this in our look at the Apostles' Creed. However, there is something new here. Note the words, “who for us men, and for our salvation.” The only God, existing as Father, Son, and Spirit, sent himself into this world he created (John 3:16) and he did so for our sake (2 Cor 5:21). He did not come to earth on vacation as a Greek god would or to wreak mayhem as a Norse god might. The Son of God became the Son of Man for our benefit, and did so simply because of his Father's great love for us. He came to earth on a mission. It was not to make earth a better or nicer place, or even to bring peace (Matt 10:34). He came to earth for our salvation.

We confess this in the Nicene Creed, and it is good that we do so; otherwise we would be creating all sorts of reasons that Jesus came among us, mostly driven by whatever social agenda we might be impelled by this year. The creed pulls us back to reality, to God, to Christ's mission. Jesus did not come to make us feel good, to give us more stuff, or to fulfill our dreams. He came to save us, to bring us into a corrected and eternal relationship with God. Our confession calls us back to this reality.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, for saving the world. Amen

Check out Sola’s Confirmation workbook, The Sacraments, designed to be a small group Bible study, student book for home school or independent study programs, or as a classroom tool and homework resource as part of an existing confirmation program.

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