Christ Died In My Place

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⁶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.¹¹ And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (Romans 5:6-11 NKJV)

I do not know about you, but as I look back at my life before I was saved, I've done many things to be ashamed of. I lived a vile and sinful lifestyle. Because I loved my sin, I wanted nothing to do with God. I use to laugh at those who followed Jesus. To further that, I thought I was being "cool" using His holy name to express disgust. Today it blows me away that while I was an enemy of God, Jesus died for me so I could be reconciled to God. WOW! "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in His should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) What an amazing thing, that even though I was His enemy, He still loved me and died for me. He wanted me to be in a right relationship with Him. He came from heaven to earth to save sinners. Not just me, but Jesus is in the business of saving sinners.

In light of that, why is it that when someone does something which offends me, I want retaliation? The first thing which comes to my mind is, "how can I get back this person?" In stead of seeking revengeance, why not look at the situation as an opportunity to display the love of Christ toward this individual and those who are watching?

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV)

My Sins

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Who can say,

 “I have made my heart clean,
I am pure from my sin”? 

(Proverbs 20:9 NKJV)

Thank God for Jesus because I cannot cleanse myself of my sins. Everyday more sins would be added to my account, except Jesus washed them away.  I try to be a “good person,” except I fail. I try to do what is right, but I find myself doing what is wrong. Jesus did not die to give me a license to sin, but out of gratitude, I will live to bring glory to His name. Of my own power, I cannot enter into heaven, but Jesus made a way.

The Passion of the Christ





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When the movie “The Passion of the Christ” first came to the theatres I was very young in my walk with the Lord. I remember thinking as I set there in the theatre watching the scourging He took, “wait until you stand before Him!” In my mind I was thinking revenge and pay back. I liked the thought of how small and foolish they would feel when they stood before Jesus in judgment.

And then:

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)


WOH WOH WOH!!! Wait a minute here! Stop! 
Time Out!

FOREGIVE THEM???


I tell you that was an eye opening experience. Here I am thinking revenge and pay back while Jesus has a heart of forgiveness! A few weeks back someone stole the tailgate off my truck. What the first thing that came to my mind? “I wish I was a cop who caught them so I can throw them into jail.” Not to keep them from steeling someone else’s property, but pay back. I / we must remember the wonderful example Jesus gave us to follow. Forgiveness.

Lord help me have a forgiving heart and thank you for going to the cross so I may be forgiven and everyone else who believes in you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matthew 5:43-44 NKJV)


14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV)


“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! (Luke 13:34 NKJV)


“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32 NKJV)


9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13 NKJV)


I pray all of you have a blessed Easter.