This is an excerpt from HomeLife Magazine.
Nearly every day my children run to me demanding justice. One of them takes a toy, gives a mean look, or breathes too hard, and I’m the one who must preside. Sometimes I listen carefully to all the sides of the squabble. I do my best to take their concerns seriously and address the situation fairly.
I’m so thankful God isn’t like me when it comes to judging a situation thoroughly, fairly, and rightly. Not one motive escapes His scrutiny. Not one action is hidden from his sight. He judges fairly every single time.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We were all born with a sin nature, separated from God. Each one of our sins offends Him and therefore demands justice. Because God is holy, He can’t just forget about sin. Not one of our sins escapes His justice. This was a terrifying reality until God made a way for us.
"For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus lived a perfect life, earned right standing with God, and died on the cross for us.
At the cross, all the wrath for His children’s sins was poured out onto Christ. Every single sin committed by the elect was paid for at Calvary. There is no greater proof of God as a perfect judge than to look at the cross of Jesus. All was paid by Christ. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, and He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father.
How do we get the sacrifice of Christ applied to our lives? Ephesians 2:8-9 answers, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” We’re saved by faith in Christ’s work on the cross. We believe in Him and not our own good works. Every single sin will be paid for either by Christ on the cross or by the sinner for all eternity. In Christ, we have no fear of punishment anymore, and we can live in right relationship to God as His children.
Are you justified in Christ? Come to Him today and be saved. If you choose to believe Jesus died for your sins and to receive a new life through Him, pray a prayer similar to this one: Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I believe Jesus died to forgive me of my sins. I now accept Your offer of eternal life. Thank You for forgiving me. From this day forward, I will choose to follow You.
If you’d like to speak with someone about how to have a new life in Christ, call 888.537.8720. If you prayed this prayer for the first time, please seek out a local church. You were never designed to live for Christ on your own. You were made for community with other believers. Just like you, the church isn’t perfect, but full of other believers seeking to live for God. Take a risk and find community in a church near you.
