“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (II Peter 1:1,2).

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7,8).

“And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints” (Revelation 15:3).

“Who, being in the form of God, . . . made Himself of no reputation, . . . and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6–8).

Our text explains that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ voluntarily left heaven to die on our behalf. Verse three of our study hymn, “He Ransomed Me,” begins with the same thought.

“Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, . . . If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? But there is forgiveness with thee” (Psalm 130:1,3,4).

The fact that we have been forgiven of our grievous sin is remembered in verse two of the well-loved hymn, “He Ransomed Me.”