Our Greatest Need
A guest post by Billy Bland.
We live in a material world and need material things to live and enjoy life. It is not wrong for us to have material things and even many material things.
However, Paul gives a warning.
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17–19).
Notice Paul says God gives us all things “richly to enjoy.” Yet, these riches are not our greatest need.
Paul encourages us to “lay hold on eternal life.” “Eternal life” is vastly more important than the temporary riches of this life. Jesus said it this way - “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
Our greatest need is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27). Why do we need Christ in us? We need Christ because:
He is Our Advocate.
Writing to Christians, John stated, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
Yes, even Christians sin. When they do, they (we) need Christ as our “Advocate.”
An “advocate” is like a lawyer who comes to one’s side to assist him. Jesus is our advocate who pleads our case for us. Of course, He pleads our case not on our merits, but He has paid the price for our redemption.
He is Our Propitiation.
John continues, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
The word “propitiation” is to appease, to have mercy.
We all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Since God is holy, He cannot dwell with sin, and His wrath is stirred against sin. Paul wrote, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18). No one, in his right mind, wants to experience the wrath of God.
God also is merciful (Thankfully!). He sent Jesus to be the propitiation for our sins. He is the propitiation “for the sins of the whole world.”
He is Our Mediator.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
A mediator is a go-between. He goes between two parties to establish peace and harmony between the two. Christ is our Mediator Who goes between God and us to establish peace.
He is Our Savior.
The very name “Jesus” means savior.
The Holy Spirit told Joseph, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
He is Our Hope of Glory.
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
“Hope” is different than the word “wish.” Some may “wish” to go to heaven but do not possess the “hope” of heaven.
Hope is desire plus expectation. To be without hope is tragic. But all can have the hope of Glory by having Christ in them.
Jesus came to give us hope. He desires all to be saved. Yet, He saves those who obey Him. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9).
To have the blessings listed above, we must be “in Christ.” How does one get “into Christ?” Paul answers, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3).
Let’s not neglect our greatest need.
I’ve known Billy Bland just about my entire life. When I was little, our family were members of a congregation where he preached occasionally and served as one of the elders. Later in life, he was one of my teachers at the Memphis School of Preaching. I’m thankful for the influence he has had in my life!
In addition to training gospel preachers, Billy Bland actively takes the gospel into all the world. He is involved in Far East World Evangelism and has traveled to places like Singapore, the Philippines, and Russia. He also runs a website that offers free Bible study lessons.
