Dr. Nilo H. Flores – Business for Christ

Dr. Nilo H. Flores

July 9, 2029

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the priceless gift of salvation through Your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. As I meditate upon the meaning of His death on the cross, help me to understand more deeply the greatness of Your love, the seriousness of sin, and the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. May Your Holy Spirit open my heart to receive Your truth with humility and gratitude. Let today’s study increase my faith, strengthen my devotion, and inspire me to live a life worthy of the One who gave Himself for me.

In the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour, I pray. Amen.

Introduction

The cross of Jesus Christ stands at the very center of the Christian faith. Throughout history, countless people have asked, “Why did Jesus have to die?”

Some believe He died simply because He was rejected by religious leaders. Others see His death merely as an example of sacrificial love. While these statements contain elements of truth, they do not fully explain the biblical purpose of His death.

The Bible teaches that the death of Jesus Christ was not an accident, nor was it a tragic defeat. It was God’s eternal plan of redemption, established before the foundation of the world. Jesus willingly laid down His life to accomplish what no sinful human being could ever accomplish.

Without the cross, there would be no forgiveness of sins, no reconciliation with God, and no hope of eternal life. Every blessing of salvation flows from the finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross.

Understanding why Christ died will deepen our appreciation for God’s amazing grace and move us to worship Him with thankful hearts.

What Does Christ’s Sacrifice Mean?

One important New Testament word that helps us understand the death of Christ is found in Romans 3:25.

Original Greek

ἱλαστήριον

Transliteration

hilastērion

Pronunciation

hil-as-TAY-ree-on

Meaning

The word ἱλαστήριον refers to:

• A sacrifice that satisfies God’s righteous justice.
• The place where atonement is made.
• The means by which God’s wrath against sin is satisfied.
• The mercy seat, where forgiveness is provided through sacrificial blood.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”

— Romans 3:25 (KJV)

The word translated “propitiation” is ἱλαστήριον.

Jesus Christ became the perfect and final sacrifice whose shed blood completely satisfied the righteous demands of God’s holy justice. Through Him, sinners who repent and believe receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Biblical Doctrine

The Death of Christ Was God’s Eternal Plan of Redemption

The death of Jesus Christ was not a desperate attempt to rescue a failed plan. Long before creation, God purposed to redeem sinful humanity through His Son.

The Apostle Peter declared:

“Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

— 1 Peter 1:20 (KJV)

Every prophecy, every Old Testament sacrifice, and every promise of redemption pointed toward Calvary.

Jesus Himself declared:

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”

— Mark 10:45 (KJV)

The cross was God’s expression of perfect justice and perfect love meeting together through the sacrifice of His Son.

Why Was the Death of Christ Necessary?

1. Because Every Person Is a Sinner

The first reason Christ died is because every human being is guilty before a holy God.

The Bible plainly declares:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

— Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Sin entered the world through Adam, and every descendant of Adam has inherited a sinful nature.

Sin is more than breaking God’s commandments. It is rebellion against God’s authority. It separates humanity from fellowship with God and brings spiritual death.

No amount of personal goodness, religious activity, or charitable works can remove the guilt of sin.

Without a Saviour, every person stands condemned before God’s perfect holiness.

This is why humanity desperately needs Jesus Christ.

2. Because God Is Holy and Just

God’s love never cancels His holiness.

The Lord is perfectly righteous, and His justice requires that sin be judged.

The prophet Habakkuk declared:

“Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity…”

— Habakkuk 1:13 (KJV)

Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

— Romans 6:23 (KJV)

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore sin.

Because God is just, sin must receive its proper punishment.

Yet because God is love, He provided the perfect Substitute in His Son, Jesus Christ.

At Calvary, God’s holiness, justice, mercy, and love were perfectly demonstrated.

The cross reveals both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s grace.

3. Because Christ Became Our Substitute

The greatest demonstration of God’s love is that Jesus Christ willingly took our place upon the cross.

The Bible teaches that Christ was not dying for His own sins, for He was perfectly sinless. Instead, He bore the punishment that rightly belonged to us.

The prophet Isaiah wrote more than seven hundred years before Christ’s birth:

**”But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”**

— Isaiah 53:5–6 (KJV)

Every sin we have committed deserved God’s righteous judgment. Yet Jesus willingly bore that judgment so that sinners who trust in Him might receive forgiveness and eternal life.

The Apostle Peter likewise declared:

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

— 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV)

Christ became our perfect Substitute. He received what we deserved so that we could receive what only He could provide—God’s forgiveness, righteousness, and everlasting life.

Christ’s Finished Work on the Cross

As Jesus hung upon the cross, He spoke a powerful declaration:

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

— John 19:30 (KJV)

The words “It is finished” come from the Greek word:

Original Greek

τετέλεσται

Transliteration

Tetelestai

Pronunciation

tet-el’-es-tie

Meaning

• Paid in full
• Completely accomplished
• Fully completed
• Nothing more remains to be done

When Jesus cried, “It is finished,” He declared that the work of redemption had been fully accomplished.

No additional sacrifice would ever be needed.

No human effort could add to what Christ had already completed.

Salvation rests entirely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Because of His perfect sacrifice, every person who places faith in Him receives complete forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.

The Cross Reveals God’s Amazing Love

The cross is where God’s holiness, justice, mercy, and love meet together.

The Apostle Paul reminds us:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Notice that Christ did not wait for us to become worthy of His love.

He loved us while we were still sinners.

His sacrifice was entirely an act of divine grace.

No greater expression of love has ever been given.

Jesus Himself declared:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

— John 15:13 (KJV)

The cross forever reminds believers that God’s love is not merely spoken—it has been demonstrated through the sacrificial death of His Son.

Practical Application

As you reflect upon Christ’s sacrifice today, ask yourself these questions:

• Have I personally trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour?
• Am I grateful for His sacrifice each day?
• Does my life reflect the love that Christ demonstrated for me?
• Am I willing to tell others about what Jesus accomplished on the cross?
• Am I living for the One who died in my place?

The cross calls every believer to live a life of gratitude, obedience, and faithful service.

Today’s Challenge

Spend time today reading Isaiah 53, John 19, and Romans 5.

As you read, thank the Lord Jesus Christ for willingly taking your place upon the cross.

Then prayerfully ask God to help you share the message of the cross with at least one person this week.

Never be ashamed of the cross, for it is the greatest demonstration of God’s love and the foundation of our salvation.

✍️ Quotation by Dr. Nilo H. Flores

“The cross was not the defeat of Jesus Christ—it was His greatest victory. At Calvary, the holy Son of God bore the judgment we deserved so that all who believe in Him might receive the life we could never earn. Every time we look to the cross, we are reminded that God’s love is immeasurable, His grace is sufficient, and His salvation is complete.”

— Dr. Nilo H. Flores

😊 Flores Faith Smile

One afternoon, a father asked his young son,

“Do you know why Jesus died on the cross?”

The little boy thought for a moment and answered,

“Because He loves me.”

The father smiled and asked,

“How do you know that?”

The boy opened his Bible and replied,

“Because the Bible tells me so—and Jesus never tells a lie.”

The father hugged his son and said,

“That is the greatest truth you will ever know.”

Lesson to Remember

The message of the cross is simple enough for a child to believe, yet profound enough to amaze the greatest scholars. Never lose your wonder at the love of Christ.

Closing Prayer

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving me so deeply that You gave Your only begotten Son to die in my place. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for willingly bearing my sins upon the cross and completing the work of redemption. I praise You because Your sacrifice was perfect, sufficient, and eternal.

Help me never to take the cross for granted. Fill my heart with gratitude, my lips with the message of the Gospel, and my life with faithful obedience. May I live each day in a manner worthy of the One who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Until You call me home or return in glory, may I faithfully serve You and boldly proclaim the message of the cross to a world that desperately needs Your saving grace.

In the precious name of my crucified, risen, and coming Saviour, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

Memory Verse

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

— Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Today’s Prayer Focus

Pray with thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross. Ask God to deepen your appreciation for His saving grace and to give you courage to proclaim the message of the cross with love, humility, and faithfulness. Pray for family members, friends, and neighbors who have not yet trusted Christ, that they may come to know the forgiveness and eternal life found only in Him.

Business for Christ

Preaching the Gospel • Equipping Believers • Making Disciples

Tomorrow (Day 5): The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Τῷ μόνῳ Θεῷ δόξα

(Tō monō Theō doxa)

To God Alone Be the Glory