1 Timothy 1:12-17.
'12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,
who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to
his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a
violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14
The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and
love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying
that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy
so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense
patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal
life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor
and glory for ever and ever. Amen.'
Let's face it. If the
penalty for sin is death then we're all in 'deep trouble'.
Close your eyes for a moment and
imagine that you are on trial in the courtroom of life.
God the Father is
your Judge. He has established fair and just laws since the beginning of
time to maintain order in our universe. Although God loves you so much and
although He is full of mercy, His justice prevails and He must find you guilty.
The prosecuting
attorney is the enemy and he will do everything in his power to accuse you
of everything you have ever done wrong in your life. He hates you and he will
emphasize how you have broken the law numerous times and how you used your free
will to choose sin and to deliberately ignore the Will of God. He will do whatever
he can to steal your joy, kill your hopes and destroy your life.
Your defending attorney
is Jesus who stands by your side and puts His loving arm around you and
emphasizes to everyone that you don't fully understand the implications of what
you have done. In your defense, He explains that you didn't realize that
choosing evil would condemn you to die and He pleads and pleads for mercy.
("Father, please forgive them for they know not what they do.")
After much discussion, there is silence in the courtroom.
Your Judge, who created your inmost being, who always sees you as a baby on the
day you were born and who loves you so much beyond your understanding, issues a
just verdict. In tears and with a broken heart, He says:
"The verdict is
... You are GUILTY.
Your punishment is DEATH. You are banned from my
kingdom."
Immediately, Jesus stands up and says: "WAIT, PLEASE
WAIT." He looks directly into
your eyes and deep into your heart and soul. With all His love and compassion,
He says: "My child, will you please allow me to suffer and die for your
sins? Please let me take on this awful punishment on your behalf."
You are totally amazed that the most important being in the
universe, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, who rules the universe from the Right Hand of God,
is willing to humble Himself and die for you. The person who's Name causes
every knee in heaven, on earth and below the earth to bend. Because of His love
for you, He is willing to take on your punishment. He is willing to be the
ultimate sacrifice for ALL of your sins - past, present and future.
The enemy argues and insists that in order to properly
fulfill your punishment, Jesus must experience the real human pain of torture
and suffering. He must experience death as a human.
Jesus agrees.
Jesus makes all
things new. Once we accept Him as Our Savior, the evil inside of us is
replaced by the spirit of our loving CHRIST. We become a totally new person, reconnected to God.
Evil is now outside of us but will always try to enter our hearts. We need to
make sure to keep these doors tightly closed.
As a new person in Christ, we become ministers in the
Kingdom of God, sharing God's love with others, being protected & blessed
abundantly & exceedingly and being led by the Holy Spirit to praise God
& bring others to accept Jesus as their Savior.
With Christ in your heart, God sees you again as His
innocent child totally free of sin deserving of His favor, His love, His
blessings and His embrace. God says:
"The new verdict is
... you are INNOCENT!
My child, you are free to come live with me in my kingdom
forever. "