Remember the good news of Jesus

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

I read something “new” this morning. In Deuteronomy 9, it talks about the promised land being given to God’s people – not because of their righteousness, but because the people who currently had possession of it were so wicked, it was being taken away from them. I’ve always thought of the promised land as a wonderful gift from God. Here it says He is taking it away from the wicked and giving it to His stiff-necked people.

Thousands of years later, we are still stiff-necked in our focus – more about ourselves and our comfort and our entitlements than on the desires of God’s heart. Admit it. We are sinners. I don’t want to admit it though. I’d much rather just say, “Oops. Sorry.” And forget my sin as soon as possible. Of course, when someone else sins, I think they should sit in the time-out chair and think about what they’ve done. Then dole out an appropriate amount of punishment so they learn their lesson. Why is it I want to be judged by my good intentions, but for others, I want them judged by their actions?

We are all sinners saved by His grace (Ephesians 2:5, 8). Not by our actions, or attitude, or good intentions either.

By His great, great mercy, God gave His people, (though they were stiff-necked with hearts always going astray), the good land, the promised land. The same is true for us. Our promised land, our promised eternal heaven is also given to a stiff-necked people. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Yes, even us Christians with good intentions.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24)

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

… and has clothed us with the perfection needed, required, desired.

Don’t beat yourself up … for salvation is yours for the taking (Romans 10:9). Rejoice! For the Savior is real. Victory over sin has come in Jesus. Get up off your time-out chair. Lift up your hands – I say it again, Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4) For the Lord has done all that is required. Sin, death and the devil have met their match. And it is finished (John 19:30).

We are securely His and nothing can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28).

 

Praise God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)