Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. 1 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
God knew the fall of humanity would happen long before He created us. So He planned a high-stakes rescue to gain our freedom from eternal death and condemnation.
You know, for years I counselled behind the walls of several prisons, speaking to men doing hard time for terrible crimes. So often, all that remained were broken, condemned people horrified by their own actions. In the same way, legalistic religion’s tactic of hammering people with judgment only exacerbates the brokenness and pain. It doesn’t bring freedom. The truth is, condemnation doesn’t empower change…love does.
That’s why in a selfless act of love, God sent His only Son to die in our place. Jesus took our sin and the punishment we deserve—He went to Hell in our place.
He felt the horror, judgment, shame and guilt for our deceitfulness, jealousy and greed. By giving His life, Jesus paid the penalty in full that was due to us for our sins—from the littlest white lie to the most heinous crimes ever committed. And in rising again, He finished God’s redemptive plan for us.
The greatest revelation of the Bible is that an incredible exchange took place on the cross. Jesus took our debt to God—our condemnation and judgment—and exchanged it for His forgiveness, peace, joy and His spirit. He’s alive in us! This exchange is a gift freely available for every soul who chooses to believe and accept it. Have you?
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