I remember a wonderful story that a couple shared with me. They are gone now but they told how they wanted to get married and they had committed their lives to this Jesus of the Bible and were in love and ready to live their lives together until death separated them. The problem was that they were set to get married and the groom was in the army and for some reason was not able to get leave for the marriage ceremony. The crazy thing was that he had a twin brother who was stationed with him and they came up with a plan that only crazy young guys would consider. On the wedding day, they would trade places. They would switch uniforms and my friends would go to the wedding, and the twin would take the brother’s place and fulfill the duty that his brother was scheduled to do. And they pulled it off! I’ve thought about that story for years and it always makes me think of what this Jesus of the Bible did for us. He died on the cross…but that was my cross and every person’s cross. He literally switched places with us. Because of our sin, we are all separated from God. No matter how good we have been or think we have been…none of us can claim to being free from ever having sinned. Even our deaths wouldn’t be enough and so for us to be brought back to God, Jesus took the place of every man, woman and child. And he could do it because the Bible claims that he was indeed God who joined us here on this earth
as one of us and because he had no sin he died as payment for us. The apostle Peter wrote that it was the upright one taking the place of sinners. And because of that act, our sins can be forgiven if we simply come and ask and give ourselves to his love. If you ever doubt the love of God for
you, remember the cross…the godly dying for the ungodly. The perfect sacrificing for the hopelessly broken. Forgiveness is paid for…but it will never be forced on any human. We have been given the precious but dangerous gift of freedom to choose our own destiny. Each person, in their journey has the opportunity to receive forgiveness…every sin ever committed wiped away. And the tragedy of the human drama is that most will simply say “No thanks”. Remember this offer is a limited time deal…it expires for you when you expire. Don’t miss the greatest gift you could ever receive…forgiveness…grace from God that makes you sinless in his sight. And you didn’t do a thing to earn it…it is a gift from God so that no human could ever boast of having it. Don’t pass it up…and don’t let those around you miss this deal of a lifetime…eternal life paid for by someone who loves you more than anyone ever would or could. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Peter 3:18 BBE Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ
as one of us and because he had no sin he died as payment for us. The apostle Peter wrote that it was the upright one taking the place of sinners. And because of that act, our sins can be forgiven if we simply come and ask and give ourselves to his love. If you ever doubt the love of God for
you, remember the cross…the godly dying for the ungodly. The perfect sacrificing for the hopelessly broken. Forgiveness is paid for…but it will never be forced on any human. We have been given the precious but dangerous gift of freedom to choose our own destiny. Each person, in their journey has the opportunity to receive forgiveness…every sin ever committed wiped away. And the tragedy of the human drama is that most will simply say “No thanks”. Remember this offer is a limited time deal…it expires for you when you expire. Don’t miss the greatest gift you could ever receive…forgiveness…grace from God that makes you sinless in his sight. And you didn’t do a thing to earn it…it is a gift from God so that no human could ever boast of having it. Don’t pass it up…and don’t let those around you miss this deal of a lifetime…eternal life paid for by someone who loves you more than anyone ever would or could. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
1 Peter 3:18 BBE Because Christ once went through pain for sins, the upright one taking the place of sinners, so that through him we might come back to God; being put to death in the flesh, but given life in the Spirit;
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ