You Are God's Masterpiece

     In Ephesians 2:10 it says, "We are God's Workmanship (or Word of Art; some Good translations say "Masterpiece") created in Christ Jesus to do good works that He prepared beforehand." That word in the Greek for "workmanship" is "poeima." It is the where we get our English word poem. In Greek culture poetry and philosophy were the highest forms of art. Literally the Greek Word is translated many times as "Masterpiece." You are God's Work of Art.

You are His artwork and made in His image! (Genesis 1:27).  Malcolm Smith (Bishop of Zoe Community of The Holy Spirit) used to say on his radio program, “You are who you are by the artist who put you together.” He would go on to say that, “What makes a famous painting, sculpture, or piece of art valuable is the signature of the artist.” If someone found a lost painting from Leonardo Da Vinci it would be worth millions! Why? It is because he is a world renowned artist. The painting would be valuable based on the greatness of the artist and the quality, the beauty of the art work. The Mona Lisa is valuable, the statue of David is valuable, and the Sistine Chapel is valuable. And get this, you are valuable. You’ve heard the slogan, “God don’t make no junk.” Well it’s true and you are valuable to Him!! You have dignity and great worth because you are God’s artwork, made in His image. We may have tried to damage the art through sin but we are still valuable. I could take a Da Vinci painting stow it away in a warehouse and it could collect dust. Just because it gets covered with dust and dirt, that does not devalue the art. Our sin may taint us but we still have value because we are made in God’s image.

 

We are His artwork and His masterpiece. As humans we are both sinners and God’s artwork. We have, not only depravity (great sinfulness), but great dignity! We have worth! We are so valuable to God that He thought we were worth the shedding of Jesus’ blood, so that He could redeem us. It is true that we have all “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We have broken His commandments and need His forgiveness. We need to run to God and ask for His mercy. But when we do we find that He embraces us and freely gives us mercy for our unrighteousness and forgiveness for our sins.

Let me put this another way. A preacher once gave a brilliant illustration on this topic. He had a $100 bill. He announced, “If I were to give this to someone as a free gift would anyone like to take it?” Immediately all hands in the room went up. He then proceeded to wad it up and wrinkle it. He asked, “Now it’s all wadded up, does anyone still want it?” Again everyone raised their hands, eager to get a $100 bill. He then threw it on the ground and stomped on it and again he asked, “Do you still want it even though I stomped on it and it’s all dirty?” And again everyone raised their hand. He then proceeded to explain. We are like this $100 bill. We are valuable. Even though we sin, make terrible mistakes, blow it, and trash our lives; we ‘get wadded up, stomped on, and messy, so to speak, like this bill’, God still wants us and loves us because we are still valuable to Him. Just like the wadding up, and stomping didn’t decrease that bill (you guys knew you could still spend it and it was worth a lot to you), we still have great worth despite sin’s damage.” We are valuable to God, we are His masterpiece of artwork, we are worth a lot to God. We are made in His image and this is a great honor.

Now I am not compromising on sin. God hates sin and yet, He still is love (“God is love” 1 John 4:8). He is Love and He is Holy. A very grace focused Christian who always spoke of God’s love, mercy, grace, and compassion had this to say, “I want neither a terrorist spirituality that keeps me in a perpetual state of fright about being in right relationship with my heavenly Father nor a sappy spirituality that portrays God as such a benign teddy bear that there is no aberrant behavior or desire of mine that he will not condone. I want a relationship with the Abba of Jesus, who is infinitely compassionate with my brokenness and at the same time an AWESOME, incomprehensible, and unwieldy Mystery. ” ― Brennan Manning.  And we want that, we, if we really search our hearts, want a perfectly just God. That gives us security to know He will never do evil. God is tender, merciful, gracious, compassionate, and affectionate!! But He is also Holy and Just; however, even though He hates sin He LOVES sinners. The saying is true, “Love the sinner but hate the sin.” On the other side He cares deeply and passionately about us. One ancient Christian writer said “I will have nothing to do with a God who cares only occasionally. I need a God who is with us always, everywhere, in the deepest depths as well as the highest heights. It is when things go wrong, when good things do not happen, when our prayers seem to have been lost, that God is most present. We do not need the sheltering wings when things go smoothly. We are closest to God in the darkness, stumbling along blindly.” ― Madeleine L'Engle     

     SO I DARE YOU!!!! Today go look in the mirror, look at yourself, and say, "You are God's Masterpiece, God's Work of Art."...........Until Next Time. Steve J

 

Accepted, Righteous, and Loved Unconditionally

Accepted and Loved

Having Right Standing With God

 

 “^{Eph 2:4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

^{Eph 2:5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”  

 “^{Tit 3:4} But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

^{Tit 3:5} he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, ^{Tit 3:6} whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, ^{Tit 3:7} so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” 

 

^{“2Co 5:21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

 

God, The Amazing Lover

Jesus! What a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain

Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Hallelujah! What a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Hymn – Words by J. Wilbur Chapman, Music by Rowland H. Pritchard. 1830 and Revised in 1910. Public Domain.

I have Good News for you. God loves messed up, needy, and sinful people, despite their faults. God loves and adores dysfunctional and broken people who have made a mess of their lives. He is the healer of broken lives and wants to make you whole because He is so in love with you. When I say that, I mean God IS CRAZY ABOUT YOU! He’s madly in love with you, and longs for you. That’s right He’s madly in love with you! He is head over heals in love with you. He is wild about you, crazy about you, and love crazed over you.  Do you do bad things? Are you a sinner? God loves you; He absolutely adores you and wants to embrace you, give you a bear hug, kiss you on the neck, and dress you in royal robes! You are precious to Him and He delights in you, yes you. God loves you just the way you are, sin and all. God loves us just as we are, but He also loves us too much to leave us in the lost state we are in. He longs to give us life, freedom and joy!

 

He can make us whole and holy. Understand, this is an invitational love to come to Him through Jesus so He can be your Father (Abba, Daddy, and Papa – using Biblical terms). Look at this Bible verse that shows God loves sinners, “This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’” (1 Timothy 1:15, NLT). This is an invitation to come to Jesus and then have a relationship with your Heavenly Father. Then after (and only after) that, His Spirit comes inside of us and we learn to quit doing things our own way and let Jesus be Lord of our life; for Him to be our guide, our strength, our help, and our lover. But it happens by faith alone in Christ alone. We simply trust Jesus to save us and He does. He cleanses us and gives us new life.

Jesus will live inside of you and give you an “abundant life” of joy, love, and peace (John 10:10). It is like the marriage covenant. Jesus is the most loving groom ever and we get to be His bride.  He wants to forgive you, liberate you from your addictions, and even free you from your bondage to sin, and have a relationship with you; just so He can lavish you with love and with a great & passionate affection!! And He will cause you to not only be loved, but to love God and love man as well (with His kind of Love).

 

But He loves you now, just as you are; a sinner. He loves you! God loves you! You may be a drug dealer, murderer, liar, or rapist but God loves you and is saying, “Come to me and let me love you, cleanse you, heal you, and make you into something beautiful. Let my love and life fill your heart.” When you run to God by faith in Christ, you will find He isn’t mad at you but will embrace you, love you, and fill you with His Spirit.

      Are you ready? We can simply bow our knee to Jesus and say, “Ok You’re the boss now (Lord) and I trust you to save me and put myself in your hands. I believe you right now have washed away all my sins, and God has forgiven me. Please come live inside of me and make me the person you want me to be.” The words don’t matter but this is just a simple way of expressing your faith in Jesus in order to get the free gift of salvation (justification). In His book The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning Defined Justification when he said that, "justification by grace through faith means that I know myself accepted by God as I am.”  He explains, "Genuine self-acceptance is not derived from the power of positive thinking, mind games, or pop psychology. It is an act of faith in the grace of God alone.” - Brennan Manning

 

     It requires a decision. Do you want to be forgiven and return to The God Who loves you. It is as simple as just believing in Jesus. Run to Jesus and Jesus will put you in The Father’s arms to nestle and to be loved on. The reformers used to say, “We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone.” It’s true and you can receive “eternal life” (forgiveness, power to live righteously, and have God come fill your heart with His love and His everyday friendship). Just believe and receive it. And we can stand on God’s Promise that He will take you back as His beloved forever safe in His Arms.

In the movie “Luther”, Martin Luther was taught a prayer by his mentor that signified his believing in Jesus for salvation, his placing his faith in Christ for eternal life. I still say it is the best prayer I’ve ever heard. It goes like this, “I’m yours Jesus save me.” It’s that simple, “I’m yours Jesus save me.” ⁴ You can pray to Jesus right now as a way of expressing your faith in Jesus. Say those words, “I’m Yours save me”, and He will save you. It is that simple. Just trust Him.

 

Oh and you men and women who are already Christians; God is NOT mad at you. He is pleased with you and loves you. Romans 5:1 says, “^{Ro 5:1} Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Did you get that? We have peace. The war is over. The penalty has been paid. The debt for all sins has already been paid. And you are justified! That means God sees Jesus’ perfect righteousness when He looks at you. And we all know that God The Father is Pleased with Jesus. So you have peace with God.

Some of you are asking but where do works come in? What about The Book of James what it says about works and faith? I will address that in the next Blog. But for now you need to know that God is not mad at you but pleased with you, because Jesus has made you pleasing to Him.

 

 

 

Grace and Guilt

“There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains.

                   Lose all their guilty stains

                   Lose all their guilty stains

                   And sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains.” ¹

Healthy Guilt and False Guilt

(This could be the most important chapter in this book!)

          As Christians we need to distinguish between healthy conviction (where God convicts our hearts, corrects our actions and redirects us in the paths of righteousness); with false guilt (condemnation), or toxic shame (where we feel terrible, hopeless, beat ourselves up, and in extreme cases want to hurt ourselves). With God’s help I will try and give you practical advice you can use and not just heavy theology alone.

        The Bible addresses this directly in 2 Corinthians and calls it either “Godly sorrow” or “worldly sorrow.” In addition the Bible says that Satan’s name means accuser. He is constantly accusing us and wants us to feel condemned (even though the Bible clearly says “There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ” Romans 8:1). Paul says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Paul even says that this “worldly sorrow is Satan’s plan, “^{2Co 2:5} If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. ⁶ The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. ⁷ Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. ⁸ I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. ⁹ The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. ¹⁰ If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, ¹¹ in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”

        When we sin The Holy Spirit lovingly gives us a conviction of sin called “Godly sorrow.” But it does NOT make us feel terrible about ourselves, rather it, “sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” We don’t keep beating ourselves up, we have no regrets, and it’s over!! We are forgiven, we move on, and we don’t continue to feel shame; NO regrets!!! Remember Jeremiah 31:34? God remembers our sins “NO MORE!!” If He doesn’t remember then why should we?

        Now on the other hand “worldly sorrow” is defined by God. “Worldly sorrow brings death.” Death could mean that feeling of depression and lifelessness, a lack of Christ’s Life (joy, peace, love, and abundant life). Get this: God does NOT want us to feel that kind of worldly sorrow. The world feels that and deals with it in ungodly ways because they don’t know Christ. He loves them and wants them to be freed. But listen!! Christians many times choose to obsess on their sins and deal with guilt in a worldly way.

        I do NOT say this to shame you. The truth is my heart goes out to you, I weep for anyone like this. In fact I myself struggled with guilt so badly for years. I knew intellectually that God forgave me but the feelings of intense guilt remained. It was like a tape or c.d. repeating the same message over and over, “You blew it, you’re not really a Christian, you will never change, and you should just give up because it’s hopeless.” That is also Satan accusing you. In Zechariah 3:1 and Job 1:6, for example, The devil is referred to as “Satan the accuser.” He knows that if you’re a Christian that you are bound for Heaven because of the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Christ. However he can try to deceive you and rob you of your joy.

        Some practical advice I can give you is to memorize verses that speak the truth, and when that intense guilt comes you can speak the truth out loud and let it minister to your heart. The Bible calls itself “The Sword of The Spirit.” It is The Sword of Truth that defeats Satan and his attempts. When you read it AND say it out loud it goes through your “eye gate” and also your “ear gate” and travels to the heart.  It touches at least two of the senses and renews your mind. Romans chapter 12, says that we are changed (or transformed) “by the renewing of our mind.” We begin to be freed from this awful and ungodly guilt with the Word. Jesus said, “You shall know The Truth and The Truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). Here are some verses that should help:

• “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)
• Paul asks if God The Father will bring a charge against us. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:33. In other words God will not condemn us on judgment day, today, or any day. God will only justify us, “It is God who justifies.” The Father is too busy justifying us, that is His job, NOT to ever condemn. As The Righteous Judge, He will NOT bring a charge against us but declare us “justified” because of the blood of Jesus.
• What about Jesus? When we sin what does He do? “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34). Jesus has the right to condemn, God has given Him the right to judge. But no, for those of us who have trusted Him for salvation He only, “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” To intercede means to plead our case. Jesus says, “Father I died for that one. My perfect life was credited to his/her account. My perfect blood and perfect sacrifice perfectly paid for all of their sins (past, present, AND future), and my perfect righteousness was imputed to them. He/she is clothed with my perfect righteousness forever.
• If we sin and blow it here is another verse. “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense (intercedes)—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2
• If we walk in the light (which means to admit we have sinned instead of hiding in the dark of secret) “The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin….If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

·         Colossians 1 is only translated accurately in the New Living Translation “ ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault ²³ But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.” (NLT) – Did you get that? God sees you as holy and blameless! That is true freedom from guilt.

• Ephesians 1:4-6 says, “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” In Christ you are “holy and without blame” and you are “accepted in The Beloved.” That means God accepts you completely because you are IN His Beloved Son Jesus.

Some More Practical Tips

        Other truths you should consider is that hey, you are human. If you blow it and hurt someone with your words, and you ask for their forgiveness, then there is no reason to continue to feel guilty. You need to let yourself know that, “Hey I’m human, God forgives me and I am not bad. God loves me and He made me unique, special, and “HE DON’T MAKE NO JUNK!!” If you can’t do it for yourself then do it for God. Do you want to insult God and say He did a bad job in making you? I didn’t think so. If you keep saying, “I am a terrible person, I don’t deserve to live, etc” you are insulting God. I am not trying to make you feel worse but just maybe if you won’t stop beating yourself up

for your sake, you will for God’s sake….to glorify Him! It is not arrogant to admit that you are God’s artwork. In fact, in Ephesians 2:10 that is the exact word used about you. You are God’s “artwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works.” Be gentle with yourself because Jesus commands us to be gentle with people. You are a person and that includes you!! Be kind to yourself. I say again you are God’s work of art!!

        And also, you are human just like the rest of us. Are you kind to others when they mess up but then apologize to you? Treat yourself like you would treat them! God doesn’t have higher standards for you. You are not the one person in the world that God expects to be perfect. Even the Apostle Paul still sinned. He still struggled GREATLY with sin:

                ^{Ro 7:15} I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what    I hate I do.

                ^{Ro 7:16} And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

                ^{Ro 7:17} As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

                ^{Ro 7:18} I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have           the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

                ^{Ro 7:19} For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to            do—    this I keep on doing.

                ^{Ro 7:20} Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin         living in me that does it.

                ^{Ro 7:21} So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with            me.

                ^{Ro 7:22} For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;

                ^{Ro 7:23} but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war     against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

                ^{Ro 7:24} What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

                ^{Ro 7:25} Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

        Who will rescue us from our bad habits and sin? Yes, there is freedom in Christ and God can free us from our bad habits and addictions. God promises, according to Paul in verse 25 that Jesus will make us better and better. Relax a little if you are hard on yourself. I used to think that after Pentecost (when Jesus rose again, went to Heaven, and gave The Holy Spirit) that Peter never sinned again. That is WRONG!!!!!  Peter still sinned and in the records of the Bible it shows that one time he even backslid really badly. Peter really blew it one time, and in front of a whole congregation. But first let’s look at his transformation (and then we’ll look at how he blew it and sinned big time).

        Peter WAS much more victorious and bold after He received the Spirit. The same man that denied Christ became the fearless leader that started proclaiming Christ to the very people that crucified Christ. God changed him so much that he was brave enough to be whipped and put into prison. That should give us hope. However, he was still human. Be comforted by this story.

        Bold Peter went to Antioch. He was eating with Gentiles (non-Jews) and proclaiming the freedom from the burden of rules of the Old Covenant. But when “Christians” who were stricter than him, teachers that intimidated him showed up, he turned coward again. Read the record from Galatians written by Paul but inspired by God.

                ^{Gal 2:11} When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was      clearly in the wrong.

                ^{Gal 2:12} Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But           when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles      because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

                ^{Gal 2:13} The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even         Barnabas was led astray.

                ^{Gal 2:14} When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I             said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and         not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

                ^{Gal 2:15} “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’

                ^{Gal 2:16} know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus             Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by        faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

                ^{Gal 2:17} “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we       ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not!

                ^{Gal 2:18} If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker.

                ^{Gal 2:19} For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.

                ^{Gal 2:20} I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in    me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me          and gave himself for me.

                ^{Gal 2:21} I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained   through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

        How embarrassing, can you imagine? Yet Peter, who was older and a more widely known leader than Paul, was rebuked in front of everyone (by the younger and less experienced Paul). Why? Because he became a coward again just like the time he denied Christ. But this time it wasn’t quite as bad. Peter had grown. Like the rest of us he had taken two steps forward and one step back, then three steps forward and two steps back. We fall down, get back up, go a little farther, fall, go far, stumble, run great distance, fall, and so it goes. But the main point is this; Peter still sinned and blew it from time to time. Yes he got better but he was human just like us. James the great Pastor of the Jerusalem church said, “We all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). So be encouraged, if they are great Apostles and they still blew it, are you better than them? That would be arrogant. Give yourself grace - WORK ON ACCEPTING FORGIVENESS. Read this verse from Hebrews, “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace” (Hebrews 13:9). You are human. Be kind to yourself too! God wants you to be kind and Christlike to all people, including YOU. God loves you and so do I! So, quit beating yourself up. Quit punishing yourself. Jesus already took the beating and the punishment and God is satisfied with that!

        Unfortunately many sincere, but confused, Christian pastors are preaching condemnation and teaching a “worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10). They are actually going against God’s will and may not even know it. True, we should preach and instruct believers against sinning. The New Testament, even though it is full of grace, does have commands for us to obey. We can’t be watered down or afraid to address sin. But we should do it in a manner that brings “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret.” God’s Spirit will tell believers (that includes me), “You are going astray in this area. This will be harmful for your spiritual life and for others. Repent and go in the path of righteousness.” When we admit (the word confess means to simply agree and admit) that He is right and we repent and accept His correction, we are immediately forgiven. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

A Few More Practical Tips

• Reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or family member who will help you and pray for you. Make sure it is someone who will not gossip and share your problem with others nor be harsh with you.
• Get in a Bible Study on Grace or a Men’s Prayer Group that is full of loving and merciful (i.e. Christlike) men.
• If needed see a Christian Counselor. Make sure he is Biblical in His approach. He needs to be a true Christian Counselor who believes God’s Word, because It (The Bible) is The Truth that sets us free. (John 8:32)
• Be sure you are listening to “grace” teachers that both address sin but also do it in a manner of grace. Just to name a few: Chuck Swindoll, Steve Brown, Malcolm Smith, Max Lucado, and Tullian Tchividjian.

              Remember “there is NO condemnation for thoseof us in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 If you feel condemned that is the devil, or it is your own flesh (and confusion) but NOT God. God will never condemn you but gently correct you. Remember “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10).  Godly sorrow doesn’t make you feel terrible but just makes you repent, get back on the right path, accept God’s forgiveness, and move on. God doesn’t remember our sins once He forgives us, why should you? Hebrews 10:17 says, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” Are you going to call God a liar? If God forgives you then why can’t you forgive yourself? Are you greater than God. No my dear brother or sister. You are loved, you are a work of art, and you need to just confess your sin and picture God running to you, kissing you, putting a ring on your finger, a royal, robe on your back, throwing a big party and dancing and singing. In Luke 15 Jesus PROMISED this is what God does every time we confess. He RUNS TO FORGIVE US!!!!

        Luke 15:20, 22, 24-25  “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet…. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate…..the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.” Every time you begin to confess your sin God runs to you, tackles you, kisses you, and throws a party with singing and Him dancing His feet off. Accept His forgiveness, mercy, love, and grace. He died so that you would. Forgive yourself and love yourself – He does!

Conviction: Healthy “Guilt”

        So we have talked about false guilt, but what about healthy guilt for something we have done wrong? I prefer to use the word, “conviction.” When we do something wrong The Holy Spirit lovingly convicts us. He tells us inwardly, “that is wrong what you did, confess your sins to God so you can be forgiven, and I will help you to correct this.” But remember from the verses at the first of the chapter, “it results it repentance without regret.” It is like this. We are going down a wrong road, a bad path. He warns us but maybe we don’t listen. When we do something wrong He tells lovingly and graciously tells us, “That is wrong, let me help you to correct this.” But He does NOT shame, never. And He never condemns, “For there is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). His goal is not to make you feel terrible about yourself but to realize that you sinned and feel convicted enough to 1) Ask God for forgiveness 2) Ask the person you offended for forgiveness and if need be 3) Make restitution (if you stole, to return the item to the person or pay them back, if you lied to go tell that person you lied and then tell them the truth, etc.

        With healthy guilt or conviction, you feel guilt about the sin, you badly about what you did (the action) but NOT about yourself. Do you understand? You see that the action is wrong but you do NOT feel that you are wrong, or that there is something wrong with you. A better way to say it is that Godly Conviction (or healthy guilt) NEVER causes you to beat yourself up. You just confess your sin, get back on the right path and move on. You don’t need to keep asking for forgiveness. God forgave you the first time you asks and God “forgets our sins and remembers them no more.”(Hebrews 8:12). Once you ask for forgiveness, you don’t need to keep asking. When you do (if you listen, if you believe the Bible) God says, “I forgave you the first time.” When you confess it again God says, “I don’t remember that sin, it’s already forgiven and forgotten. I can’t recall what you are talking about.” Hallelujah!!! So “godly sorrow” or “true conviction of the Holy Spirit” moves you to right the wrong, quickly get back on the right path, and then MOVE ON!! It’s over with and you’re forgiven. God does NOT remember it anymore, so why should you?

        Now some of us have a overly guilty conscience that is NOT from God but could stem from 1) Being raised in an overly strict church or home that is shaming 2) Just the way we are wired 3) Satan is working overtime for his name means “accuser of the brothers” or 4) You could have a chemical imbalance (OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. But those constant condemning thoughts are NOT from God. If #4 is true there is NOTHING to be ashamed of, it’s just that your brain “gets stuck” and needs medication that balances the serotonin (the chemicals) in your brain. That will help those constant guilty thoughts fade away (along with Bible Study, prayer, and faith in Jesus’. And also along with getting grace oriented Christians to help you (there’s nothing to be ashamed of when asking for help. We ALL have weaknesses and need help sometimes).

       

        Before I end this chapter I will share one more Biblical passage found in Zechariah 3. “^{Zec 3:1} Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. ² The LORD said to Satan, ‘The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?’ ^{Zec 3:3} Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. ⁴ The angel said to those who were standing before him, ‘Take off his filthy clothes.’ Then he said to Joshua, ‘See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.’ ^{Zec 3:5} Then I said, ‘Put a clean turban on his head.’ So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by.” When we put our faith in Christ and repent, God cleans us up and clothes us in white garments!!I will end with the second verse to “There is a Fountain”:

“The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day. And there may I though vile as he was all my sins away.

            Wash all my sins away

            Wash all my sins away

            And there may I though vile as he was all my sins away.” ²

1. There Is a Fountain. William Cowper. Con­yer’s Col­lect­ion of Psalms and Hymns,, 1772.

2. Ibid

Grace and Struggle (The Reality of Our Fight with Sin & Temptation)

        One thing needs to be said in very clear terms as we talk about our new identity in Christ and the fact that we are dead to sin. We are dead to sin (Romans 6) but SIN IS NOT DEAD! Not only that but just because we get a new identity and a new spirit we will still sin and blow it. It is like a baby first learning to walk. They are toddlers and at first they may take a few steps and then fall. But gradually, more and more, their steps are strengthened and they learn to walk.

        I’ve heard Chuck Swindoll speak in sermons about the men who were once slaves, but were legally set free from the civil war and by Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The analogy to Jesus is eerily similar. A war was fought and won, Lincoln made a law that slavery was illegal; he even died (like Christ) and spilled his blood for the cause. All the slaves had to do was believe it, to take hold of this new law and accept their freedom. But sadly, many did not even know about this law that set them free. (Remember Romans 6 –we have to “know” that Christ has set us free and then we can act like freed men). It is so tragic that many, who were legally free to go and lives their lives and leave the plantation (and tell the slave master to kiss their keister), they remained in slavery and cruel treatment. But they were legally free!!! It is so sad.

        We have to 1) know and believe what God’s Word says about our new identity and 2) present ourselves to God (ask God to fill us with His Spirit) and 3) obey by faith, faith that Jesus is living through us. With all that said, I need to admit it is many times a fight and a struggle to overcome bad habits. It all starts with our mind and NOT will power.  Romans 12 says, “We are transformed by the renewing of our mind.” That is not jut intellectual, but it is reading God’s Word, feeding our minds continually on The Truth. Jesus said, “The truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Just like those freed men that still thought they were slaves, we (and they) need to know the Truth that Jesus makes us free and claim it. But there is a problem. We have 3 enemies that fight against our faith. In fact Paul said the main fight we have is the fight of believing (not straining in our will power). He said, “Fight the good fight of faith.” (1 Timothy 6:12). But remember I said we have three enemies.

        Those enemies are 1) The Devil/ Satan 2) The world and 3) our own “flesh”. Satan’s name literally means “the accuser” and in Revelation 12:10 he is called “the accuser of the brethren.” Not only does he accuse you, but he is crafty, first he tempts us. He is always trying to tempt us. Actually it is not Satan because he is only a fallen angel. Unlike God, he cannot be everywhere at once. It is one of his demons. (by the way a very encouraging thought – only 1/3 of the angels rebelled and became demons. So for every evil spirit there are two good angels – the enemy is outnumbered). Satan is not God’s opposite. If that were so he would be an all powerful evil God. That would be scary. But he is not. At best he is the opposite of Michael the Arc Angel. God and Satan are not slugging it out. Jesus created Satan and Satan (before he rebelled) used to bow down before Jesus’ throne and worship and serve Him. Jesus created Satan and controls him like a puppet. Because we are in Christ we have power to overcome Satan. Jesus said “I have given you power to trample over the enemy and to overcome all the power of the enemy.” (Luke 10:19) He uses the imagery of serpents and scorpions and things that people of that time considered to be symbols of evil (kind of like how in our age silly people think black cats are evil).

         Satan’s only weapons are deceit and lies. He can try to intimidate us and make us think he is more powerful. And for sure he is more powerful than a normal human being. Angels are way more powerful than humans and have miraculous and supernatural powers. However we are not normal human beings. The original language in which the New Testament was written (Greek) says, “Anyone in Christ is a new species.” (2 Corin. 5:17) It is like those slave owners. They could keep the truth from the freed slaves, they could only intimidate by lies. But imagine if a messenger from Lincoln with soldiers behind him came to a plantation and said, “You are now legally free, take your stand and claim your freedom, and abandon this wretched place.” Imagine if those blacks were to have an uprising, grabbing weapons to use. They greatly outnumbered the whites. And with the soldiers behind them they could have massacred they evil white slave owners. That is EXACTLY how it is with us. The Holy Spirit through His Word is saying, “You are free!!”

        Jesus has given us HIS power to rebuke and cast out demons, and The Bible says that when we quote The Bible it is “the sword of The Spirit”, like a sword slicing evil spirits. Angels are armed and ready to fight for us. But Satan, like the slave owners, tries to keep us blind to the truth of our freedom. (By the way, on another side note, did you know that one day Satan will bow down and say, “Jesus You are Lord”, Literally God and Master in the Greek. In Philippians 2:10-11 and in other places it says, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”) Notice “every knee” and “every tongue” and “under the earth” is a reference to hell or Sheol the abode of the dead and of Satan. Every big shot, every oppressor, Caesar, Hitler, the greatest athletes, the richest men, the arrogant atheists, will all bow down and admit, “Jesus you are God and Master.” Ok- back to the issue at hand.

        Also we need to know that we are “Complete in Christ.” We are, in our spirit, whole and powerful. However as humans we are spirit, soul, and body. The soul and body is what Paul calls “our flesh” (again his shorthand).  In the Old and New Testament “flesh” has a few different meanings. It can just mean mankind or it can mean “all mankind that is apart from God and enslaved to this world which is under Satan’s control.” (my definition). When Paul refers to the flesh he means that part of us which still has remnants of sin. Our spirit has been redeemed but our soul (which is our feelings, thoughts, emotions, etc) and our body has not had sin’s presence flushed out. When we go to Heaven we will have new bodies and souls. We will no longer have sin’s presence in us and will never be tempted to sin, nor will we ever sin again. But in this life sins presence remains in our bodies and souls (memories, feelings, sensations in our organs of past addictions and sins, our bodies want satisfaction NOW and on our terms, such as sex. We want it now even if it means sinning against God’s law and having sex outside of marriage.) So there is a war going on.

        Paul said, “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”(Galatians 5:17)  But he gives us the remedy “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

        But I want to encourage you by saying that all Christians sin still, in other words, you are not alone. I used to think (faulty thinking) that once the Apostles received the Spirit they never sinned again. I was so discouraged because I was fighting to break old habits. But then I was SO RELIEVED to find that Paul, the great Apostle, still struggled with sin and temptation. Look at Romans 7. “¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do (DID YOU SEE THAT? Paul admits he sins and does what he knows is wrong and feels bad about it – my insertion), I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it (by that he is not shunning responsibility. He is taking responsibility for his choices. But he means “it’s not the real me” or “the temptation is not coming from the real, new, redeemed me but from my flesh” – again my insertion), but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good (remember in Ezekiel and Jeremiah God gives us a new heart and writes the law on our hearts) , but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I (again he is not avoiding responsibility but he means “I – the real me doesn’t want to do this) who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I (“I” is the new man – the “redeemed Paul” , the new creation) want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death (by death he means the result of Adam’s sin and our “spiritual death” or fallen nature)? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my inner man (my translation, a better word than mind) am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature (or “flesh”) ^[d] a slave to the law of sin.”

        So a few points need to be made here:

1.      Paul sinned!!!! He was just like you and me. You are no worse than Paul or any other Christian. Quit beating yourself up.

2.      Paul in his “inner being” (verse 22) is redeemed and free from sin

3.      However Paul’s flesh or “sinful nature” is enslaved to sin….BUT THE GOOD NEWS

4.      “²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

        You see Jesus in us helps us overcome temptation. He gives us POWER to overcome sin. Look at this promise in 1 Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version (NIV) “¹³ No temptation^[a] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[b] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[c] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

        Here are some more promises (remember it is by believing that you overcome temptation). “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Psalm 23:3” (Psalms 23:3) In 2 Corinthians 2:14 it says, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession”

        Remember God is always leading you in victory. You are not a helpless victim. But Satan says, “You are not a Christian, give in to that sin.” After you sin (if you do give into his temptation he says, “See look you’re not really a Christian, look at how you sin.” Also our bodies may crave something. Remember our cravings are not, in themselves always bad, but after Adam and Eve sinned it threw our bodies out of whack. For example, sex is not bad as long as it is within God’s boundaries; it is for a man and a woman that are married. But sex before marriage is sexual sin. It is not waiting for God’s best, his mate that he has chosen. Ice cream is not bad but if we over eat or eat it every day we are sinning and our bodies will get terribly out of shape. But there is good news.

          The reality is that God (sanctifies us). His Spirit makes our behavior holier every day. So we have hope, hey in 5 years that thing you’re struggling with might not be a struggle at all . “He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:6). So you don’t have to do this on your own. God is constantly at work in you making you better and better even if you don’t see it.

        But still the reality is that we still blow it. Hey I lose my temper with my kids, in my mind sometimes I still cuss when I smash my finger, I am tempted to lust. You may say, “But Steve that is minor to what I have done and still do.” It probably is not. I remember in high school, the summer before my freshmen year going to youth camp. We all made commitments to follow Christ; not drink, cuss, skip class, fornicate, etc. For a whole year I was able to walk strong (I was very alone). But then my sophomore year I caved in. Because I played electric guitar and was in rock bands I started living the “alcohol, sex, drugs, and rock and roll” lifestyle (which by the way there is nothing wrong with rockin’ out on the electric guitar or playing secular songs unless it leads you into a sinful lifestyle. Also there are MANY great Christian rock bands, Christian punk bands, and Christian Heavy Metal bands that are godly and stand for Christ).

        I started playing at parties where we minors were underage drinking and basically getting wasted. I did that for about three years. I had “fun” at first but then started to feel miserable and so guilty. I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit and when my drunken friends would betray me, hurt me, or I hurt them, and the drama would happen, I realized this lifestyle is NOT fun it is STUPID. All the while I sensed God calling me back to Him and I missed Jesus. I did a lot of things I am not proud of. I woke up one morning and prayed, “God either kill me or change me.” I asked Him to “please take me back.” Ever since that point I learned several  hard lessons; 1)that God’s way is right and good for us, 2) disobeying God brings terrible consequences, 3) Sin not only hurts you but it hurts other people. God took me back under His arms and showed me “real life” as I started to live sold out for Christ during my college years. I promise you that living for Jesus was A MILLION TIMES FOR FUN AND FULFILLING!!! Our college church group was so much fun and we would go on mission trips, share the Gospel, help the sick and the orphans, and lead people to Christ. I have never been more fulfilled than in those days!

       Some people fall back into sin temporarily, then repent (because they are true Christians and God convicts them). Some struggle to break a drug or alcohol addiction. But there is more good news. Look at this verse in 1 John, “When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse (or some translations say ‘purify) us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). When you sin just confess. The word confess just means to admit and agree what you did was wrong. That’s all you have to do, come to God with a repentant heart and he will IMMEDIATELY, “forgive you of your sins and purify and cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness.” That means when you confess the sins you’re aware of He will even forgive the sins that you haven’t confessed and are not aware of. Now that is grace.

        Ok one more verse. I have quoted this before, “There is now NO CONDEMNATION for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). You will never be condemned once you are in Christ!! You may blow it and even backslide into former sins but God will not condemn you to hell. It’s a promise in His word. Here is an even stronger promise. Remember the verse above (1 John 1:9) about confessing our sins and getting forgiven. Look at the verses that follow. John is telling us this so we can have harmony and peace in our fellowship with God (not having to carry guilt around). But he adds this in Chapter 2 verses 1 and 2, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

        Did you get that? He’s saying I’m writing this so you won’t sin. Remember I and all true grace advocates (and really grace advocates are just Biblical), we are for obedience!! We want holiness. People say, “You’re giving them license to sin.” No we are just quoting the Bible, God wrote that, not me and you are arguing against His Word – be afraid!! But He says, “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” He is saying even if we DO sin, Jesus has us covered.

        The word “atoning sacrifice” is a reference to the Old Testament sacrifice when either on the day of atonement they sacrificed the lamb for the sins of the people and/or when they poured the blood on the “atonement seat” on the ark of the covenant. The “Seat” covered up the 10 commandments which are God’s laws that we break when we sin. The blood covered up those laws. It was a foreshadowing of Christ Who was to come. His blood covers up all the laws we break, His blood covers up all our sins. In fact a better translation for atoning sacrifice is “propitiation” or “placation.” Propitiation is just a big word that means, “to satisfy.” Jesus satisfies God’s wrath.

        When we sin, the Father looks at Jesus and sees His Son’s sacrifice which placates His wrath. He says, “No I’m not angry. My Son’s blood more than satisfies my anger. I will not be angry because Jesus’ payment is precious and more than enough for me because He is my darling Son and His blood is eternally Holy, Holy, Holy.” The Bible says that Christ’s sacrifice is VERY PLEASING, in Ephesians 5:1 it says when we sin and then The Father looks to Jesus and His sacrifice, He is more than satisfied, “Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Any, would be anger, turns to God focusing on the excellencies, perfections, and beauty of Christ. God looks beyond our faults and sees our need for mercy.

        Someone may say, “Steve you’re going to encourage people to sin.” NO!!!!! I have never said, “Go out and sin.” Sin is harmful. Actually people who say that are not just insulting me, they ARE CALLING GOD A LIAR. You see when you know that you are loved and secure forever, you actually learn to love that person more and more!!! God Himself  says, “the grace of God teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”, Thus saith The Lord (Titus 2:12). GOD says, “The love of Christ motivates us (i.e. to obey)” 2 Corinthians 5:14. You see everything I just taught you is grace, mercy, and the very truth of God.

        Yes you will blow it. But HE STILL LOVES YOU!! But when you do and you receive God’s forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love instead of wrath something happens. Your heart begins to melt. You feel loved and want to love Him in return. Then you blow it again but, again, you receive love and you realize, “He will never leave me, or tell me to leave.” Then THIS feeling of security gives you a strength. That feeling of security gives you power to obey  - I’m not making this up God said it! “The grace of God teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” (Titus 2:12) Grace is what cause TRUE obedience. Oh there is an obedience motivated by fear but it won’t last long. It will cause people to resent God.

        God looks beyond our fault and sees our need. I will leave you with this verse about when we sin and blow it. I hope it shocks you enough to fall in love with God, help you to stop sinning, and gain power to obey, Hebrews 4:14-16  “¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Love’s Plan: (The Solution)

“You can never overstate the efficaciousness of the atonement.       You can never exaggerate the power of the cross”

- A.W. Tozier: The Attributes of God

A Pastor Sacrifices Son to Save A Non-believer

        After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, he briefly
introduced a guest minister who was in the service that evening.

        In the introduction, the pastor told the congregation that the guest minister was   one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak. “A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the pacific coast”, he began, “when a fast approaching               storm blocked an attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized.”

        The old man hesitated for a moment making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story, “Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the other end of the life line. He only had seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he, also, knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.” As the father yelled out, “I love you, son!” he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black of night. his body was never recovered.

             By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old minister's mouth. “The father”, he continued, “knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of god that he should do the same for us. Our heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son that we could be saved. I urge you to accept his offer to rescue you and take a hold of the life line he is throwing out to you in this service.”

       With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal to be saved. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. “That was a nice story,” politely stated one of them, “But I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian.”

          “Well, you've got a point there,” the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. Abig smile broadened his narrow face. He once again looked up at the boys and said, “It sure isn't very realistic, is it?  But, I'm standing here today to tell you that story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up his Son for me.

You see, I was that father in the story who sacrificed his son in the ocean and your pastor was my son's friend. I was pure agony seeing me son die, but it was much worse thinking of his friend, your pastor, going to hell because he did not know Christ then.”

            “That’s right the old man was the father in story who couldn’t bear to see this young man suffer eternity in hell separated from God’s love. He knew firsthand what it meant to give his one and only son to save someone else?” He then challenged the boys with a question, “How about you? Have you accepted his offer to rescue you? Have you taken hold of the life line he is throwing out to you in this service?” ¹ Now I ask some of you reading this book have you taken the life line, the free gift of salvation which is Jesus? Just trust in Jesus.

        You see Christ took out punishment so we would never have to be punished by God, Christ was separated from God so that we (once we accept Jesus as Savior) will never have to be separated from God, Christ took all of our judgment so that we could think of God as our Papa instead of our judge. Romans 8:15 says that the moment we trusted Jesus to save us that The Holy Spirit came in and gave us a new spirit of sonship. It says, “We have been given a spirit that cries Abba, Father.” The word “Abba” is the Hebrew word for daddy or papa. Again I did not write this, I am not making this up. These are the very words of God for His redeemed people. Look at Psalm 130:3-4. It says clearly that those who trust in The Lord God does not act like a record keeping judge, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?  But with you there is forgiveness so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” That is the Word of God straight from His mouth.

        A friend of mine, Robert Leahey, wrote a song called jail breaker. It is a great song that tells a great story. Imagine that you are in court and you receive the death sentence. The judge pounds his gavel and says, “Guilty, you are to be executed.” All of a sudden to everyone’s astonishment the judge’s son, a righteous and innocent man, stands up and says, “Father I will take his place. I will die in his place. Let him go free and I will take his death sentence.” You and I would be a fool to turn down such a great offer, and that is exactly what Jesus did when He died in our place on the cross. ¹

 

The Gospel - It Means GOOD NEWS!

        I want to focus in on a couple of verses today. But first let me start off my asking a question. If man severed himself from God (when Adam and Eve decided to be "independent" of God and try to be "gods", rather than abiding in God Who IS Life and Who is Love, Joy, Rest, and Peace), then how did the Gospel happen? Did man go and ask God to come and redeem Him? NO! Every other world religion says "try as hard as you can, thru good works, and maybe you'll make god love you."

        Only Christianity (that is true Christianity NOT the perverted religious counterpart), says "God loves you and has provided a way back to Him." The world for Gospel, (euangelion) in Greek, means "good news." It brings joy and peace! It means this: The Gospel was initiated by God and not man. Why did God pursue man after man rejected God? The answer: God loves man unconditionally! God is love! Read the following verses again from the NIV translation.

"1 John 4:8 God is love.
1Jn 4:9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
1Jn 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1Jn 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1Jn 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." And also, "1Jn 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."
Notice is says twice "God is love."

        He doesn't just have love or give love. He IS love!! That means He loves the vilest sinner. He loves the drug addict, the prostitute, and He loves even the rapist and child molester. How can He do this? Because He is love! Love also transforms people.

        How can He accept sinners without being unjust? The Answer lies in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Yes, God does have to punish sin, but yet He loves man. He has to love man but He does this while maintaining justice, for He cannot be unjust. God is Holy and His standard is perfection. He cannot compromise His holiness. So how is this solved?

        The answer - Jesus took the punishment for the sins of the whole world. He makes us brand new so that we are not the same person anymore! The Apostle Paul was a terrorist who hated and killed Christians but He was changed to a brand new person that loved Jesus Christ and who loved other Christians. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let’s look deeper into the problem of love.

The Solution

        As we learned in the previous chapter, God’s purpose for mankind (which is for us to know His love and be in relationship with Him) encountered a “problem.” I hate to use that word because God is sovereign and knew man would reject Him. The Bible clearly says that God had already planned to redeem man before He even created the earth. With that in mind the “problem” is that man rejected God and sin infected the whole human race. The result was that man was separated from God and the relationship was breeched, damaged, fractured.

        As stated above though, God in His love and sovereignty already had a plan in mind. The Bible says that Jesus is God’s sacrificial “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world” – Revelation 13:8. God loves mankind and is merciful and willing to forgive sin. But at the same time He is just and cannot compromise His Holy Justice. The Bible states that “the wages of sin is death.” A wage is something you earn. All mankind (that means you and me too) has sinned against a Holy God and therefore earned (deserves) death and eternal separation from God (hell). But there is Good News (that is what Gospel means GOOD News)!

       

        Man can only escape His sentence if there is a substitute, someone willing to take His place, someone to take His punishment. That is where Jesus comes in. He is perfectly innocent and holy. He is both man and God. Since He took on human flesh then He can die for our sins. Since He is God, perfect and holy, then His sacrifice is powerful enough to pay for all sins. God is eternal and therefore Jesus’ sacrifice has eternal value. Now if you are a Christian already, do not say, “I know this already”, because many Christians are going to Heaven but do not understand the full, complete Gospel.

        In the Book of Hebrews God compares the Old Testament Sacrifices to Jesus’ one sacrifice, “^{Heb 9:14} How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” When He died on the cross His blood that was shed had eternal value and worth. Because He is so Holy, one single drop of His blood is enough to wash away a thousand lifetime of sins. His blood in powerful enough to wash away all the sins, of all mankind; every person, everywhere. Hebrews 13:20 calls it “the blood of the eternal covenant.” His payment on the cross is an eternal payment; a payment enough for an eternity of sins. Not only past sins, but present sins, and even FUTURE SINS!! Because Jesus is God’s Son, He is perfectly pleasing to God and

His sacrifice satisfies God’s wrath; it placates His Holy wrath; it appeases God’s anger against sin. Ephesians 5:1 says sacrifice on the cross was “pleasing” (it took away God’s anger against sin.)However only those who believe, who put their faith in Jesus as Savior receive the effect of Jesus sacrifice. Those who trust Jesus as Savior are reconciled to God, forgiven all their sins, and accepted as a child of God, “^{Ro 3:25} God presented Him (Jesus) as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”

        

        He died and after three days rose again, proving Himself to be God (The Son) and also showing that God the Father found His sacrifice pleasing. Let’s take a look at what the Scripture says, “^{Ro 4:24} God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ^{Ro 4:25} He (Jesus) was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Another verse in 1 Peter says, “^{1Pe 3:18} For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.”

         But that isn’t all, it gets even better. Not only does Jesus take our punishment and completely wash away all of our sins (past, present, and future) by His blood, He goes a step further. When we believe in Jesus He places His righteousness on us. That is called “Imputation.” It’s the great exchange. He takes our filth and sin and gives us His perfect, holy righteousness. Who wouldn’t want to take Him up on a deal like that? 2 Corinthians chapter 5 states, “^{2Co 5:19} God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them” and then in verse 21, “^{2Co 5:21} God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

         So Jesus takes our death, washes away our sins, pays our debt (justification), and then clothes us with His own righteousness (imputation). We become 100% righteous and free FOREVER from condemnation. So when God sees us, He sees us as righteous and holy because of what Jesus has done. Not to get too technical but there are two terms you need to know, Justification and Imputation. Don’t worry we’re gonna make this simple to understand.

         The moment we trust Jesus and accept the free gift of forgiveness God justifies us. The term “Justify” is a Bible word that means to declare righteous. When we place our faith in Christ God declares us, “righteous, just, and holy.” He calls us justified. Another way of seeing it is like someone putting their money into someone else’s bank account. Imagine if you were very poor and Donald Trump transferred all his billions of dollars to your bank account; that would be great!! The bankers would look at your account and say “You’re rich.” It’s someone else’s money that was given to you as a gift. You were not rich at all but poor. However the banker sees Trump’s wealth. Well it’s the same with God. Jesus transfers His Righteousness and Justice into our sinful “account.” The moment we believe in Jesus for salvation God looks at our “account” and sees Christ’s righteousness and declares we are right then “Justified.” God credits Jesus’ righteousness to our account.

         Look what Romans chapter 4 says, “^{Ro 4:3} What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” ^{Ro 4:4} Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation.

^{Ro 4:5} However, to the man who does not work (i.e. trust in his obedience) but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”  Notice God “justifies the wicked.” He changes a sinner into a saint. But this happens only through faith alone.

        Once you trust Jesus for salvation you become a Christian. And that means God’s not mad at you!  God’s anger is placated. You will never go to hell when you die, you will most certainly go to Heaven. Also you get an experience a relationship with Him in this life. God is satisfied. He is at peace with you. Chuck Swindoll has a great deal of wisdom in this matter when he says, “Where did we pick up the idea that God is mad or irritated? Knowing that all (my emphasis) of God’s wrath was poured out on His Son at His death at the cross, how can we think like that? As a matter of fact, the reason He brought back Jesus from the grave is that He was satisfied with His Son. Ponder this: If The Father is satisfied with His Son’s full payment for sin, and we are in His Son, by grace through faith, then He is satisfied with you and me” ¹ Ref The Grace Awakening p. 61-62.

        I want Quote Chuck Swindoll from the Grace Awakening, his definition of justification. “Justification is the sovereign act of God whereby He declares righteous, the believing sinner – while he is still in a sinning state.” ² Ref The Grace Awakening p.24 Remember I did not make this up and neither did Chuck. God said it in The Bible, “But to the one who does not work (i.e. for righteous standing), but believes in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned (or credited) as righteousness.” (Romans 4:4-5 New American Standard Bible).

        Listen here religious man, you may even call yourself Christian. If you are then you cannot argue with God. Ephesians clearly says, “8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2:8-9. Who are you to argue with God? Who is anyone to argue with God about how man is saved? God saves us the moment we take, by faith, the free gift of salvation. We have not done good works yet, we have not given money to the church, and most of us probably have not been baptized until after we believed. We have not done anything but believe God and take the free gift that He is handing to us. So that’s justification. Now let’s talk about imputation.

        Look at these radical verses that talk about Jesus clothing us with His own righteousness. Hebrews 10:10 says, “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” For once and for all time Jesus has made us holy in God’s eyes. Hebrews 10:14 says, “^{Heb 10:14} because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Because we are hidden, clothed with Christ, God sees us as “perfect.” Not only does He see us as perfect (and remember I did not say this God did), He sees us as “perfect FOREVER!” You are 100% righteous in God’s eyes. Yes, you are 100% righteous in God’s eyes. Now when I say that I don’t mean we become perfect; not in the sense of we’re “perfect” as in we never make a mistake again, or have perfect behavior. I hate most bumper stickers because they take great truths and change them into cheesy sayings. However here is a good one that is true “Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.” I’m not perfect, no Christian is perfect. I sin and blow it constantly. I might lose my temper with my family, have greedy thoughts, lust, etc. There is only ONE perfect Person that ever walked the earth and His Name is Jesus. When it says we are made “perfect forever” that means that Jesus has washed our sins away perfectly. In addition He has covered us with His perfect righteousness, the “righteousness of God” Because Jesus us God He is “perfect” and us holy, holy, holy and righteous.

        He clothes us IN His righteousness. This is called being in Christ. That phrase is used 150-160 times in the New Testament. Now we cannot undue what Christ has done or else we would be greater than Him, and that is blasphemy to say such a thing. How ridiculous to think we are stronger than God. Are you going to argue with what GOD says. He says, “By one sacrifice (on the cross) He has made perfect forever those who are being made perfect.” Perfect, and yet perfect FOREVER!!! That means every time God looks at us He will see Jesus who is perfect. Jesus is perfect forever and that means God will see us in Christ PERFECT FOREVER!!

        Let’s look at  2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him (Jesus) Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus is God. He has the very righteousness of God. He covers us with His perfect holiness so that when God sees us “in Him we become the righteousness of God.” God sees, not our sinfulness, but He sees “the righteousness of God.” He sees Jesus. We are clothed with Jesus and wrapped up in His righteousness. There is a great picture of this in the Old Testament. In the Ark of The Covenant was the Ten Commandments, and we all break the Ten Commandments every day; we deserve God’s wrath. But God would only appear when the priests applied the blood of a slain lamb on the top of the Ark which was called “the mercy seat.”

         Notice the blood sacrifice covered up the Ten Commandments which we break. It is a symbol of God covering our sins with the blood of Jesus. Jesus’ blood covers all the sins that we commit, all of God’s laws that we break. But Jesus’ blood is infinitely greater than the blood of the lamb in the Old Testament. Because He is The Eternal God, His sacrifice brings eternal forgiveness and mercy. If in the Old Testament God would appear to the Jews and show mercy because of a lamb that was sacrificed for their sins; then how much more will Jesus’ blood bring mercy?

        Once we grasp that, by faith in God’s Word, we experience peace and freedom from fear. Once we are filled with the peace of God, we are motivated by love to serve Him. We learn to fall in love with Jesus because of His sacrifice for us. We become so grateful that, as The Bible says, “The love of Christ compels us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14) Now in the next chapter we will learn how to walk in true holiness and still have freedom from guilt, be filled with peace, and motivated by God’s love.

        Now once we are saved, good works will follow. But the source of our works is Jesus living inside of us by His Holy Spirit. Remember we talked about the branch who broke off from the tree and tried to produce fruit on his own. His efforts were fruitless (pun intended). I will quote from that story again, “He (the branch) grunted and strained but no apples appeared. He sweated, grunted, strained, moaned, and strained some more but still no apples. He tried his hardest. He even said, “I will use my will power and determination and I WILL grow apples.” But things got worse. Not only did he not grow apples. His lush, green leaves started turning brown and frail. As they leaves got more and more brittle they cracked and big chunks of leaf would blow away in the wind. The leaves withered up and the branch started to look dry, dull and brittle himself.”

        If you remember I also said this is a Biblical analogy, but instead of a tree and a branch  (which is more common in America), in the Bible, it was a grapevine and a branch (which is very common in Israel). In John Chapter 15 Jesus says, “^{Jn 15:5} “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” That is the bad news, BUT WAIT!! It doesn’t end there. There is good news, a happy ending if you will. Jesus also said, “If a man remains (abides, stays connected) in me and in him, he will bear much fruit.” (John 15:5a) Did you get that? You will be a beautiful branch full of luscious, delicious grapes when you simply abide in Jesus. In the New Testament there is another encouraging verse, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) 

          So it is not grunting, straining, or trying on our own. It is letting Jesus lives through you. That sounds much more simple, peaceful, and life – giving doesn’t it? Just in case you have heard bad Bible teachers say this is talking about “staying saved”, notice what Jesus said in John 15, “You are already clean because of The Word I have spoken to you.” (John 15:3). This is not talking about salvation. Once we trust Jesus as Savior we are already forever clean in God’s sight because Jesus washed away our sins (through His blood and death on the cross). This is not talking about salvation, this is talking about sanctification. Sanctification is a big theological word that means “to grow in Christ” or “to start behaving like a Christian” or “to start acting more holy.” But again it is NOT self effort. We do it by abiding in Christ.

        How do we abide in Christ and become more holy in our daily lives. The Bible has an answer, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.  It all comes back to faith. Trusting Jesus to guide us and grow us. In Colossians 1:27 Paul talks says, “In the same way you received Christ (i.e. by faith) so walk in Him.” We walk by “faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Trust and know in your heart that Jesus will cause that divine “sap” (using the tree/vine analogy) of His life to flow to you. He will produce good fruit in you. Remember to keep focusing on Him and His love for you. That will compel you to become more Christlike. “For the love of Christ compels us.”  (2 Corinthians 5:14). Amen!

¹ Source of Story Unknown.

²Leahey, Robert, writer. Jailbreaker. Souled Out. Robert Leahey, 1992, CD.

³The Grace Awakening p. 61-62. Swindoll, Charles R. Word Publishing.

⁴ The Grace Awakening p.24. Swindoll, Charles R. Word Publishing.