"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
What would be worth dying for?
Some would say their spouse or their children. Some would say their country or their beliefs. Others would risk their lives for more shallow pursuits like money or fame. But what would you freely give your life for?
Would you be willing to give up your life, all that you have, for a stranger? How about for someone who has cursed you, spit on you, caused you pain or injured your family? How about the vilest person you can imagine- no one with any redeeming quality you can think of? What about your worst enemy? The person who seems to live only to make your life miserable?
Still in a sacrificial mood? Ready to shed your own blood?
Well, no need to worry. You do not have to. It has already been taken care of. Jesus did it for you and your worst enemy, for me and the stranger, for your family and friends and the neighbor who lets his dog dig up your flower garden.
Why? Because we are all guilty of being that enemy, or that stranger, or that foul neighbor at least some time in our lives.
Why? Because God loves us. Blemishes and all. Hurt and pain and bitterness and resentment and everything we have bottled up inside (Listen).
How? Because He is perfect. He sees into our hearts and desires only to clean us up, brush us off, and draw him closer to Him.
How? By providing the perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice of love, life, goodness, and justice. A sacrifice of His most precious, sweet, and loved child. A child that was part of Him, a child for which all things were made, a child that He loved as He loved Himself- Jesus.
He did not hold back. How can you hold back from Him?
Continue to Step Five
Some would say their spouse or their children. Some would say their country or their beliefs. Others would risk their lives for more shallow pursuits like money or fame. But what would you freely give your life for?
Would you be willing to give up your life, all that you have, for a stranger? How about for someone who has cursed you, spit on you, caused you pain or injured your family? How about the vilest person you can imagine- no one with any redeeming quality you can think of? What about your worst enemy? The person who seems to live only to make your life miserable?
Still in a sacrificial mood? Ready to shed your own blood?
Well, no need to worry. You do not have to. It has already been taken care of. Jesus did it for you and your worst enemy, for me and the stranger, for your family and friends and the neighbor who lets his dog dig up your flower garden.
Why? Because we are all guilty of being that enemy, or that stranger, or that foul neighbor at least some time in our lives.
Why? Because God loves us. Blemishes and all. Hurt and pain and bitterness and resentment and everything we have bottled up inside (Listen).
How? Because He is perfect. He sees into our hearts and desires only to clean us up, brush us off, and draw him closer to Him.
How? By providing the perfect sacrifice. A sacrifice of love, life, goodness, and justice. A sacrifice of His most precious, sweet, and loved child. A child that was part of Him, a child for which all things were made, a child that He loved as He loved Himself- Jesus.
He did not hold back. How can you hold back from Him?
Continue to Step Five
