Dear Editor,

The Christian scriptures maintain that we are all sinners regardless of sex or race.

In fact, we are slaves to this ungodliness.-Rom 6:16, RSV

Some humans seek to justify or sanctify their behavior or thoughts while others repent of their wounding themselves and others until God’s judgement of death occurs.-Gen 2:17, Heb 9:27

The Christian scriptures also proclaim the Deliverer — “But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons (and daughters-II Cor 6:18) to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering.”-Heb 2:9-10

Jesus the Christ puts suffering in perspective throughout his incarnation of thirty-three years and nine months. In each instance, the grace or favor or beauty of God triumphed through his Servant who always did the will of the Father.-Is 52:13-14, Mt 20:25-28, 27:45-46, Jn 19:30

The foregoing is why the Apostle Paul gave instruction to slaves regarding their obedience “. . .so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God.”-Titus 2:10c, Eph 6:5-9

Jesus the Christ addressed this doctrine in Jn 8:28-29, 31b-32: “So Jesus said, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him. … If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Thus, on Golgotha, Jesus the Christ perfected grace in his words of spirit and life by atoning for his own murder and affirming his belief in God, his own holiness, & his love for the world literally fulfilling Jn 3:14-16, Heb 2:14-16, 4:14-16, II Cor 4:14-16. For “No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known.”-Jn 1:18, 14:6-7

William M. Yavelak

Belmont