“For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18, NIV)
There is no pretty way to say this…we are not perfect.
We have all sinned. No matter how hard we try not to, all of us will slip and slide and fall flat on our face.
God knew this.
He knew like sheep, we would stray. We would wander and worry. We would fear and forget Him.
He knew we would be sinners deserving of death, so He sent a Savior to bring us life. Eternal life. God SUBSTITUTED Jesus Christ, His only Son, IN OUR PLACE to die a criminal death on the cross. A place we deserved to be because of our mistakes and failures and weaknesses.
SUBSTITUTE: a person or thing that takes the place or function of another.
EXCHANGE: an act of giving one thing and receiving another. (Merriam Webster)
On the cross, Jesus EXCHANGED His Holiness for our sin.
His Strength for our weakness.
His Glory for our shame.
Why?... Because God loves us.
“But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8, NLT)
Christ died for us…
Why?... Because God wants us to be with Him.
“For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18, NIV)
On the cross, Christ RECEIVED your punishment, GIVING you peace.
RECEIVED wounds, GIVING you healing. (Isaiah 53:5)
RECEIVED death, GIVING you life. (Isaiah 53:12)
God made a way for you to be by His side…by GIVING you His Son.
A gift He is waiting for you to willingly, freely, and with all of your heart RECEIVE.
In order to GIVE, you have to LET GO OF.
In order to RECEIVE, you have to TAKE HOLD OF.
LET GO of your sin and shame. Lay it down at the foot of the cross and with empty hands held out, TAKE HOLD of His forgiveness and grace.
God will repair your broken walls. (Isaiah 59:12)
He will guide you, satisfying your every need and giving you strength. (Isaiah 59:11)
SUBSTITUTING the pain of your past with the peace of His Presence.
EXCHANGING your darkness for His Light.
Your ashes for His Beauty.
Your spirit of despair for His Garment of Praise. (Isaiah 61:1, 3)
RECEIVE His gift of salvation, and you will remember the former things no more, rejoicing forever in what God will create for you and in you. (Isaiah 65:17-18)
Through Christ.