Saved!

Saved!

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. John 3:17 AMPC

Background:

Easter reminds us of the greatest gift ever given, when a mighty God gave the life of His only begotten son Jesus for the sins of the whole world. It was love that designed that plan, and it was love that brought it to fruition. No other person I know would have allowed the child to die for an offence the child knew nothing about, which is why the love of God described here is not like any other love known to or celebrated by man. Man sinned; death was the price and the natural consequence of sin, and of course, by God's righteous requirements, that price had to be paid in full by someone. That is why God sent His son to the world. It was not first a  reminder of man's sin, but a reminder of God's amazing love. He knew man would sin, yet He spent time creating, forming and equipping man for his life on earth. He knew what would become of every man, but that didn't stop Him from going all out to make a plan for the eternal salvation of all men.

Focus:

Jesus is the physical manifestation of that plan, and the One by whom we all come into a new walk, a new life, a new hope and a new eternal reality. Through the death and the resurrection of Jesus, the world is reminded of sin and the coming judgment for sin for the whole world, but that is not the end of the story. It may be end for all who reject the gift of God to the end of their physical, earthly lives, but for all who will come to the saving knowledge of this Jesus, they come into new life. The gift of Jesus to the world is not to condemn it, but to remind the world thst there is hope for all who come to God on the terms He has set, which is through Jesus. The consequence of sin is death, but that only applies to all who remain in sin. Faith in Jesus is the only way to avoid that terrible end, but if I reject the gift, which is free to all men, no matter what evil they may have done, I cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences He already warned me about. 

Conclusion:

Part of God's great wisdom is to make man and give him the power of choice. The gift of salvation has been given, but I have a choice to make. God does not go against the free exercise of that power. God also gave his son as the exercise of his own freewill, so He has shown the perfect example of that power. As I have also been made in God's likenes, it is not a surprise that I have that same power. This free gift is the key to all that God offers, because in Jesus is all that I need for life and Godliness. God will not do all He did, and give what He gave up so that I will only live for the earthly phase of life alone. This gift is for the whole world, not for any specific gender or group. There is no safety anywhere outside of God; high fences, guards or security measures may work for some time, but they cannot secure your eternity. That is what Jesus has come to secure. Would I surrender my life to Him, so I can secure eternal life? God's time of favour is here.