Helped!

Helped!

Isaiah 53:6 KJV

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Yesterday, we considered the love of God and what He gave up as a function of that love. We know that it was a huge price to pay, as it was the first and last time that God had to look away from His Son as He hung on the cross. In order to fully grasp the impact of the sacrifice made, Galatians 3:13 KJV says that 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree'. That is the weight that Jesus had to carry for my sake, so that I could walk away from the consequences of my actions. I get to walk away, but into what? What is expected of me, now that I have come to a knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done?

Let it be clear from the verse above that all men, born of women, inherit the sinful nature. There is no cultivation, refinement or natural cleansing that can deal with the stain of sin. Romans 3:23 KJV says: 'for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God'. ALL. That is the start point of the verse above: all of us have strayed away like sheep. It is part of our human nature to choose the path of least resistance. It does not take much effort to steal, to lie, to deceive and to make false claims. That is our human nature. By and of ourselves, we cannot save ourselves. We walked away, but God would not let go. We consistently rejected Him, but He would not let go. How else can you define love? 

I thank God that the story did not end at my walking away. I thank God that He did not leave me to my own devices. I thank God He did not give up on me so easily. Right at the place of man's first sin was the place where the plan of redemption for man was also laid out. This plan was not an afterthought; the fact that a prophet like Isaiah, who lived about 600 years before Christ, could speak quite clearly about this plan, means that God meant it, and He would bring it to pass. I am grateful to God that He did not give up on me. I am very grateful that I have been called by Him into a new relationship with Christ, leading to eternal life with God, and an inheritance with Christ.

Now that I know what I have received, what are the decisions I need to take in response? When I fully consider the price paid and the prize at stake, what are the options? It has to be clear now that with all that God has done and given, there is no excuse if I reject His gift to the end of my natural life. God laid the iniquity of the world on Hiim so He could deal with it permanently. What, then, is the point of holding on to something that has been dealt with? Why let that which Christ has defeated then defeat you, and prevent you from taking hold of all that Christ has secured? I do not have to die again for something the Life of God has dealt with. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.