Jennifer Bales

Q. Why is he called Christ, that is, Anointed? A. Because he has been ordained by God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit, 1 to be our chief Prophet and Teacher, 2 who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption; 3 our only High Priest, 4 who by the one sacrifice of his body has redeemed us, 5 and who continually intercedes for us before the Father; 6 and our eternal King, 7 who governs us by his Word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us. 8 ~Scripture Proof~ 1.Ps 45:7 (Heb 1:9); Is 61:1 (Lk 4:18); Lk 3:21, 22. 2.Deut 18:15 (Acts 3:22). 3.Jn 1:18; 15:15. 4.Ps 110:4 (Heb 7:17). 5.Heb 9:12; 10:11-14. 6.Rom 8:34; Heb 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1. 7.Zech 9:9 (Mt 21:5); Lk 1:33. 8.Mt 28:18-20; Jn 10:28; Rev 12:10, 11.

Bible Reading Pro-Tip: The virtuous wife of Proverbs 31 is *not* a superwoman whose example Christian women are supposed to try and live up to. She is the personification of Lady Wisdom who has been speaking to women *and* men throughout the book (cf. Prov. 8:1 - 9:11). The point of Proverbs 31 is *not*: "Men, get you a woman like this; and women, go be like this." The point is for men *and* women of God to seek and find wisdom. And Lady Wisdom has already told you the wellspring at which you will find her: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Prov. 9:10). Sisters, don't lay that burden on yourselves of trying to be a "Proverbs 31 woman." She's not a model for you to emulate, but a treasure for all God's daughters and sons to seek and find.

On our own before God, we are as guilty as guilty gets. But because of something someone else has done, we are absolved of all guilt. We are forgiven. We haven't done anything. Christ has done everything.