Many people believe piling up good works makes them right with the Lord. But, death is the only payment for sin that can satisfy divine justice. (Romans 6:23) Since we all fall short, this leaves us in a desperate situation. We face eternity apart from God.
Grace, the expression of divine love and kindness to the utterly undeserving, prompted the solution. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place. According to Romans 10:9, all we need to do is believe. JesusĄŻ death satisfied GodĄŻs justice and brought us: New Life. Our spirit is made alive in Christ the moment we acknowledge that we are sinners, turn from our rebelliousness, and believe that His death paid for our sin-debt in full.
ChristĄŻs death also brought us: Freedom. At salvation, sinĄŻs power over us is broken, and we are not longer slaves to its hold. Jesus raised us up out of the quagmire of disobedience and gave us the faith to believe. Now, we can exercise our newfound freedom and follow Him.
Another thing JesusĄŻ death brought is: Security. When we accept GodĄŻs judgment that we are sinners by nature and acknowledge our SaviorĄŻs sacrifice as payment for our sins, we are permanently adopted into the heavenly FatherĄŻs family. Our status changes instantly. Once objects of wrath, we are now children of God. Someday, weĄŻll be in Heaven with Christ and enjoy life everlasting with Him.
God, the very one against whom we rebelled, substituted His Son Jesus in our place to receive the punishment that was rightfully ours. How will you show your gratitude to God for His saving grace?
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