For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
We've read it, wrote it, memorized it, quoted it...one of the most popular verses in the Bible...
But do we UNDERSTAND IT or better yet, BELIEVE IT?
It doesn't matter if you are a prostitute, drug addict, murderer, slanderer, gossip, mean-spirited or down right lazy...God loves you. If you yelled at your kids today, fought with your husband, told off the driver in front of you this morning, or only thought about your self and your selfish needs all day...God loves you. As a matter of fact, He loves you so much He wants to call you out of the "self" lifestyle you have been leading...not so you will have to follow a bunch of rules or to whip you into submission...but, rather to set you free - to fill you with His peace -eternally.
Actually, God has already done what is necessary to give you this freedom. Like it states above - He gave you His son. He put His one and only on the cross and had him bear your nasty deeds, thoughts and flesh. He allowed His one and only to become what you are so that you could have what he offers - eternal life and a life of hope now.
You cannot add to it - no matter how many old ladies you help across the street or how much you throw in the plate on Sunday mornings. The debt has been paid. You are free if you will accept the payment that's been made on your behalf. Ever have someone pay a bill for you that you owe? I have and it was not only a wonderful surprise, but a deep gesture that spoke how much someone thought of me. God does it completely - He gave you his son in place of His wrath for your sin.
You cannot be good enough for it - no matter how pristine your life has been - you are filthy rags - even on your absolute best day! You might be keeping track of all the wonderfully thoughtful and sacrificial things you are doing, but you are the only one tallying. You cannot balance the scales of judgement with your deeds - so you can stop trying to earn and work your way to heaven.
So, if you cannot do it on your own - if God has done this most glorious thing for you, just what are you to do? Accept the payment! It doesn't matter if your a prostitute or a pastor...you need the grace of God. Confess your sins, admit your stains. Ask Christ to come into your heart, accept His payment. Ask God to make you a new creation, setting you free from the bondage of "self."
Come as you are. You don't have to wait until you have your act together, or after you've accomplished something that you think will make God so proud....cause you can't add to what the gift He's already given you...so stop trying.
God loves you, no matter who you are...whoever believes in him....you will not perish!
We've read it, wrote it, memorized it, quoted it...one of the most popular verses in the Bible...
But do we UNDERSTAND IT or better yet, BELIEVE IT?
It doesn't matter if you are a prostitute, drug addict, murderer, slanderer, gossip, mean-spirited or down right lazy...God loves you. If you yelled at your kids today, fought with your husband, told off the driver in front of you this morning, or only thought about your self and your selfish needs all day...God loves you. As a matter of fact, He loves you so much He wants to call you out of the "self" lifestyle you have been leading...not so you will have to follow a bunch of rules or to whip you into submission...but, rather to set you free - to fill you with His peace -eternally.
Actually, God has already done what is necessary to give you this freedom. Like it states above - He gave you His son. He put His one and only on the cross and had him bear your nasty deeds, thoughts and flesh. He allowed His one and only to become what you are so that you could have what he offers - eternal life and a life of hope now.
You cannot add to it - no matter how many old ladies you help across the street or how much you throw in the plate on Sunday mornings. The debt has been paid. You are free if you will accept the payment that's been made on your behalf. Ever have someone pay a bill for you that you owe? I have and it was not only a wonderful surprise, but a deep gesture that spoke how much someone thought of me. God does it completely - He gave you his son in place of His wrath for your sin.
You cannot be good enough for it - no matter how pristine your life has been - you are filthy rags - even on your absolute best day! You might be keeping track of all the wonderfully thoughtful and sacrificial things you are doing, but you are the only one tallying. You cannot balance the scales of judgement with your deeds - so you can stop trying to earn and work your way to heaven.
So, if you cannot do it on your own - if God has done this most glorious thing for you, just what are you to do? Accept the payment! It doesn't matter if your a prostitute or a pastor...you need the grace of God. Confess your sins, admit your stains. Ask Christ to come into your heart, accept His payment. Ask God to make you a new creation, setting you free from the bondage of "self."
Come as you are. You don't have to wait until you have your act together, or after you've accomplished something that you think will make God so proud....cause you can't add to what the gift He's already given you...so stop trying.
God loves you, no matter who you are...whoever believes in him....you will not perish!
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