Tag Archives: Sin

Me In The Middle

Posted on by under Christian Living, Culture, Current Events

Happy Birthday, America! As we think about the 250 years of history that have shaped this nation, we recognize that our story is still short compared with many countries around the world. Even so, Americans deeply value independence. We appreciate the power of the people, the ability to govern ourselves, and the freedom to make our own laws, regulations, and decisions.

There is nothing wrong with loving our country. Patriotism can be honorable and meaningful. But love for country can also develop into something unhealthy when it becomes centered only on self. If we are not careful, independence can become an excuse to make everything about us—our desires, our preferences, our rights, and our will. In that way, we begin to want “me in the middle” of everything.

When it comes to who we are and what we stand for, we often discover that “me” is already in the middle. It appears in our attitudes, our focus, our priorities, and the things we consider most important. The question is not whether we will be involved in our lives; of course we will. The question is whether self will rule the center, or whether God will.

With that in mind, let us consider five things that either already have “me” in the middle or need to have “me” in the middle in the right way.

Pride

Pride is one of the clearest examples of self sitting in the center. Pride says, “I can do this by myself. I know best. I do not need correction, help, or guidance.” Scripture warns against that attitude. Proverbs 16:18-19 teaches that pride goes before destruction and that a haughty spirit comes before a fall. If we believe we can succeed entirely on our own, we are already headed toward failure. True success requires humility before the Lord.

Pride also causes us to love the wrong things. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul describes people who are lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, disobedient, ungrateful, and without self-control. That is the attitude that says life is all about me—my money, my desires, my wishes, and my way. When self takes over, love for others and love for God are pushed aside.

To change, ignore, or dismiss what God has said takes pride. It is arrogant to live as if we control everything. James 4:13-17 reminds us that life is a vapor. We may make plans for a year, a business, or a future, but we do not have the power to guarantee even tomorrow. The proper perspective is to say, “If the Lord wills.” When we boast in our own arrogance, James says such boasting is evil. Pride does not merely make us look foolish; it leads us into sin.

Sin

Sin is missing the mark. It is failing to become what God calls us to be and refusing to do what God commands. 1 John 3:4 describes sin as transgression of God’s law. Without law, there can be no sin; but because God has spoken, we are accountable to Him.

Sin is also centered on self. Think about nearly any sin and ask what is at its heart. Again and again, the answer is selfishness: “I want what I want, when I want it, whether God approves or not.” David knew in his heart that his sin with Bathsheba was wrong, but he pursued what he wanted. For a time, he may have thought he had escaped the consequences, but Nathan confronted him, and David came to understand the seriousness of his sin. In Psalm 51:4, he confessed that his sin was ultimately against God.

We may be tempted to think our sin is no big deal. We may tell ourselves that we did not hurt anyone or that we are only doing what we like to do. But all sin harms our relationship with God. Isaiah 59:1-2 teaches that sin separates us from Him. That separation is not what God wants. He desires all people to come to repentance and salvation, as seen in 2 Peter 3:9 and 1 Timothy 2:4.

When we put our wants and desires first—when pride and arrogance rule us—we are led into sin. Yet just as these evil things can have “me” in the middle, there are also good things that require personal involvement. No one else can believe, have faith, or live faithfully for us.

Believe

To believe is to have conviction based on testimony that something is true or that someone is reliable. In this sense, “me” must truly be in the middle. No one else can believe for me. It is not enough that my parents believe, that my congregation believes, or that people around me believe. Belief must become personal.

Joshua 24:14-15 shows that each person must decide whom they will serve. It is not enough to rely on the faith of our fathers, even if they served the true God. Just as we do not inherit sin from our ancestors, we do not inherit belief from them either. Ezekiel 18:19-20 reminds us that each person is accountable for his or her own response to God.

Salvation requires personal belief. John 3:16 emphasizes that whoever believes in the Son may have eternal life. In Acts 16:30-31, the Philippian jailer was told to believe in the Lord Jesus. Even then, it was not enough for one member of the household to believe for everyone else; each person had to respond. Closely connected with belief is faith.

Faith

To have faith in God is to trust Him and take Him at His word. Faith is closely related to belief, but it goes beyond simply knowing that God exists. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that without faith it is impossible to please God. That faith must be our own. It has to have “me” in the middle—not in a selfish way, but in the sense of personal responsibility and personal trust.

Faith directs the way we live. Proverbs 3:5-7 calls us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. That kind of faith overcomes pride because it refuses to be wise in its own eyes. It trusts God to direct the path.

Habakkuk 2:4 says that the righteous will live by faith. Living by faith means more than saying the right words. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 did not merely claim to believe; they acted. Again and again, the chapter says “by faith,” and each example shows faith moving someone to obey God. Faith is not passive. It calls us to act, and no one can do that for us.

Going

One of the things I must do is be going. As I go through life, I need to ask whether I am involved in what God wants me to do. Matthew 28:19-20 gives the charge to go and make disciples. I may not be able to travel everywhere in the world, but as I am going, I can share the gospel with those I meet. For some people, I may be the only Christian they meaningfully interact with.

Going also includes going to the Lord in prayer. Matthew 6:6 reminds us of the personal nature of prayer. Others can pray for us, and we should pray for one another, but God also wants to hear from me. I need to be personally involved in going to Him.

At the same time, we must make sure we are not going astray. Hebrews 2:1 warns that it is possible to drift. Even after being saved, we can begin to move in the wrong direction if we do not pay careful attention. We must stay on the path that leads to God and go forth to Him, as Hebrews 13:13 urges. If we are going to heaven, we must remain faithful to Him.

Conclusion

We love independence. We appreciate freedom, the ability to make choices, and the opportunity to take responsibility for our lives. Freedom is a great blessing. But we must also understand our dependence upon God. We need Him for everything.

We can find ourselves in the middle of pride, living only to fulfill our own desires. We can find ourselves in the middle of sin, doing wrong and refusing to accept responsibility. But we also need to be in the middle of believing, because no one else can believe for us. We need to be in the middle of our faith, because our trust in God must be personal, active, and growing.

So the invitation is simple: where do you find yourself in the middle this day? Is self at the center in pride and sin, or are you personally placing yourself in the middle of belief, faith, and faithfully going with God?

Create in Me a Clean Heart

Posted on by under Article, Repentance

In life, we often wish for a “do-over” – a chance to correct our mistakes and start anew. Whether it’s a questionable call in a game or a misstep in our personal lives, the desire to erase our errors and begin again is universal. This sentiment is vividly captured in the story of David, who sought a “do-over” after his grievous sin with Bathsheba. David’s journey from sin to repentance is a powerful reminder that our worst moments do not have to define us. Instead, with genuine repentance and a change of heart, we can seek forgiveness and renewal.

Appeal

David’s plea for mercy is expressed in Psalm 51:1-2. He begs for compassion, acknowledging that he has no claim to the favor he seeks. His appeal is not based on his own goodness but on God’s steadfast love and tender mercies. David’s hope to restore his covenant relationship with God is a testament to his faith in God’s unending love. Romans 12:1 reminds us that God’s tender mercies are available to us as well, but we must not conform to this world. Like David, we must seek to be free from sin’s pollution, asking God to blot out, wash, and cleanse us thoroughly.

Confession

In Psalm 51:3-5, David’s confession is heartfelt and sincere. He acknowledges his sin, recognizing that his attempts to hide it have failed. His sin is ever before him, and he understands that he has sinned not just against Uriah and Bathsheba, but against God. David’s acknowledgment of his sin is a crucial step in his repentance. He does not make excuses or shift blame; instead, he owns his actions and expresses true sorrow. This godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance, as David seeks to be free from the guilt and punishment of his transgressions.

Restoration

David’s desire for restoration is evident in Psalm 51:6-9. He understands that sin separates him from God and longs to be restored to his position as one of God’s children. David’s plea to be purged with hyssop, washed, and cleansed reflects his deep desire for purity. He seeks complete cleansing, knowing that only God can make him whiter than snow. David’s request to blot out his iniquities and restore joy and gladness highlights his yearning for a renewed relationship with God.

Inward Renewal

Psalm 51:10-12 reveals David’s understanding that only God can give him a clean heart and a fresh start. While David must repent of his sins, it is only God who can create in him a clean heart and renew his spirit. David’s plea not to be cast away from God’s presence or lose the Holy Spirit reflects his fear of losing the special relationship he once had with God. He seeks to be restored to the joy of salvation, desiring to be as innocent as he was before his sin.

Humble Worship

David’s forgiveness serves as a lesson to others, as seen in Psalm 51:13-17. He recognizes that worship and sacrifices are empty and worthless if one is not living right with God. David’s desire to get back in line with God and offer acceptable worship reflects his understanding that true worship comes from a humble and contrite heart. He knows that God does not desire sacrifices that represent failure but seeks a heart that is fully devoted to Him.

Acceptable Sacrifices

In Psalm 51:18-19, David acknowledges that once we are back in fellowship with God, our sacrifices become productive and pleasing to Him. He emphasizes the importance of doing good and offering sacrifices in spirit and truth. David’s journey from sin to repentance and restoration serves as a powerful reminder that we too can have a “do-over.” By owning our mistakes, confessing our sins, and seeking God’s forgiveness, we can be restored to a right relationship with Him.

None of us are perfect, and we all fall victim to sin. The key is how we respond to our failures. Like David, we must take responsibility for our actions, confess our sins to the Lord, and appeal to Him for forgiveness and cleansing. Only God can create in us a clean heart and restore us to a right relationship with Him. True repentance involves a change of mind and heart, and it starts with us. By looking inward and seeking God’s forgiveness, we can experience the joy of being restored to His fold and having His Spirit with us. Then, when we are restored to Him, our worship and sacrifices will be pleasing to God, and we will enjoy the joy of heaven.

I Am Resolved

Posted on by under Christian Living

          There is a song that we sing in our assemblies that speaks of being resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Instead, the song says that I will hasten to Him. It is a song about being resolute in leaving the world’s charms behind and pressing on to be with the Lord. As we look out upon another year ending and a new one just beginning, what resolutions are we making for the New Year? What are we leaving behind in 2023, and what are we pressing on towards?

     In the Philippian letter, Paul writes, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). We might look back at last year’s resolutions and see how we did. Perhaps our resolution only lasted a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe we were resolved to lose ten pounds last year, and now we are only fifteen pounds away from our goal. But, forgetting those things that are behind us, let us look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to be resolved to do better.

     In 2024 let us then be resolved to:

   · Lose the weight of sin in our lives (Heb. 12:1)

   · Exercise greater discernment between good and evil (Psalm 34:14)

   · Improve our spiritual health (1 Peter 1:13-16)

   · Help save the souls of those around us (Mat. 28:19-20)

   · Stop making excuses and abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

  I am reminded of an old commercial that showed a man at his desk and each year the pile of papers grew higher. Each year he stated that this was the year he was going to hunker down and get something accomplished. Is 2024 the year that we will grow closer to the Lord? Or will 2024 be like every other year? The choice is ours. The next year is ready and waiting. Are we resolved no longer to linger?

Why Was God Pleased to Injure Christ?

Posted on by under Love of God

nails     During this time of the year when many people are thinking about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, many might read from Isaiah 53, which predicts the Christ’s ordeal on the cross. Have you ever read that account, however, and wondered about just what it says? In verse 4 we read that Christ was, “Smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4, NKJV). Later it declares, “And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). “He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken” (Isaiah 53:8). On and on we read within Isaiah’s prophecy about how Jesus was going to be mistreated by mankind. But then we read the statement, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief” (Isaiah 53:10, emphasis added). Just how could this bloody sacrifice of His one and only unique Son be pleasing to God?

     There are many events recorded in the Bible, with which God was not pleased. He was not pleased with the idolatry of the Israelites. Whether at the base of Mount Sinai during their exodus from Egypt, in the high places during the time of the divided kingdom, or in the temple during the reign of Manasseh, God was not pleased with idolatry. There were times when the Israelites did not offer their best in sacrifice to God, but instead brought the lame and sick as a sacrifice (Malachi 1:8; 3:8-9). In this God was not pleased, because their heart was not in what they were doing, and they were not showing God the proper respect. “Therefore, when He [Jesus] came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure’” (Hebrews 10:5-6). Here Jesus is saying to the Father that the Father did not desire or have pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices.

     So what are we to make of this? God did not have pleasure or desire for burnt offerings and sacrifices, which He commanded, but it pleased the Lord to bruise Christ. Even though God commanded the children of Israel to make burnt offerings and sacrifices, He did not take pleasure in them. Their sacrifices represented failure on their part to keep His law. They were required because of the sins of the people. They were necessary because mankind will always fall short. God takes no pleasure in man’s sin. This is why God through the prophet Samuel says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). God would rather that man obey Him than to make the best animal sacrifice he could offer. God also did not have pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices because they could not get the job done. Just before stating that God has no desire for nor pleasure in those offerings, the Hebrew account tells us plainly, “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). Those animal sacrifices could not take sin away and could not make those who offered them perfect with regards to the conscience (Hebrews 9:9; 10:1-3). There was still a remembrance of those sins, and so year after year the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place with the blood of the sacrifice (Hebrews 9:7). God was not pleased because the reconciliation between God and man was not complete.

     By contrast then, God was pleased with the sacrifice of Christ. Because of what Jesus did for mankind by dying on the cross as our perfect offering, there is a cleansing of the conscience and the sins of man are remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:12). The sacrifice of Jesus was perfect and complete. There no longer remains a need for another sacrifice, because Jesus offered Himself for us once for all (Hebrews 9:11-15). Because of the redemptive work of Christ, man and God are reconciled to one another (Ephesians 2:16). In this the Lord is pleased. This is how God can say that He was pleased to bruise Jesus for our transgressions. It is not that He was pleased by Christ having to endure the cross and the pain and the shame. But God was pleased in the result in that mankind has a path back to the Father. Will you follow God’s Path to Salvation? Will you take the only way that we can go to find eternal life (John 14:6)? God has done His part by offering His one and only unique Son for our behalf (John 3:16). In this He was pleased. Will you do your part to accept His sacrifice and apply the blood to cover your sins through simple obedience to the Gospel? If you want to be pleasing to God, you will.

The Sinner’s Prayer

Posted on by under Doctrine

prayer     Many times we may hear those in the world refer to salvation by simply praying Jesus into our hearts, or by reciting the ‘sinner’s prayer.’ Is this really all there is to salvation? Is this all that God requires of man for accepting His grace? While there are many places in scripture we could look for the answer to this question, let us consider just one example.

     The story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus is fairly well known. Saul was on the road to Damascus when he was surrounded by a bright light and heard a voice from heaven. It was the Lord instructing Saul to go into Damascus, where it would be told to him what he must do in order to be saved. Once he had arrived in Damascus, Saul prayed to the Lord and fasted for three days (Acts 9:8-11). Then Ananias come to Saul and told him, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16 NKJV).

     Notice in this account that Saul saw the Lord, he heard the Lord speak, and he prayed and fasted for three days. And yet Saul was not saved from his sins until he was baptized. This should indicate to us that simply trying to pray Jesus into our hearts will not absolve us of our sins. Nowhere in scripture do we find any reference to the ‘sinner’s prayer,’ or the idea of salvation by prayer alone. It should seem obvious that if Saul had to be baptized after his religious experience to have his sins removed, then we must be baptized for the remission of our sins as well.

Who Is To Blame?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Current Events

JManziel     When things go wrong it seems that the one thing we never run short of is blame. Just take the Cleveland Browns, for instance. When things go wrong in Cleveland, as they often do, everyone looks for who is to blame for this year’s fiasco. From the ownership, to the general manager, to the head coach, to the assistants, to whomever played the most games at quarterback that year there is always plenty of blame to go around.

     How is it with us when things do not go as planned? When we fall short of the mark, or we do the wrong thing, are we also playing the blame game? The blame game is nothing new. Indeed we do not have to read much in the Bible before seeing the “it’s not my fault” principle play out. In Genesis 3 Adam is hiding from God in the garden, because he has eaten from the forbidden fruit and realizes that he is naked (Genesis 3:8-11). God asks, “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11b, NKJV). Notice that Adam first blames Eve for his sin. “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). Adam also accuses God, since Eve is the woman whom God gave to him.

     Instead Adam should have realized the need to take responsibility for his actions. The same is true with us today. When we sin it is not the fault of someone else who “made us do it.” The Devil does not make us do it, as Flip Wilson used to humorously state. Nor can we blame God for our sin. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14). What causes us to sin is the same thing that has caused mankind to sin throughout all of history. It is our own desires that lead us to sin. It is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” in our own hearts which leads us astray (1 John 2:16). Let us look to ourselves and take responsibility for our actions. Let us confess our sins and be forgiven of them instead of playing the blame game (1 John 1:9).

What Is Sin?

Posted on by under Culture, Doctrine

 

     If you ever want to bring a conversation to a screeching halt, just talk to someone about the issue of sin! In our politically correct, nothing is ever wrong, who are you to judge me world, the topic of sin or of pointing out that something is morally wrong has been equated with hate speech. Thus we are left with an “if it feels good, do it” society that does not understand the difference between right and wrong.

arrows missing target

     Just what is sin? The first mention of sin in the Bible has to do with Cain’s undesirable sacrifice. God says, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, NKJV). The word ‘sin’ in this passage carries with it the idea of a crouching beast, waiting to pounce on its prey. In archery, the term ‘sin’ is used when the archer misses the mark and fails to hit the target. With regards to us, we sin when we miss the mark and do not live up to God’s desire for us. Sin is breaking the law of God. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). These are sins of commission (something that we did). There are also sins of omission (failing to do what is right). “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

     How then do we judge between what is right and what is wrong/sinful? It is not according to our own wishes and desires, for we are mere men. Who are we to determine what is right or wrong and to be the judge of it? We need a higher standard than what man deems right or wrong. Solomon has said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Jeremiah prophesied that it is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Thus we need to turn to God’s word, and His Holy Standard in order to see what is right and what is wrong. Paul wrote that he would not have known what was sin had God’s law not revealed that to him (Romans 7:7).

   We have an obligation to check these things out in the Bible. Let us allow God’s word to give us our direction regarding what is right and wrong. Let us not lean upon man’s understanding and end up in sin. Sin leads to death (James 1:12-15; Romans 6:23). Obedience to God will lead us to life (Romans 6:16). Let us reject sin and live!

I Am Resolved

Posted on by under Christian Living

new-years-day-1054594_960_720     There is a song that we sing in our assemblies that speaks of being resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Instead, the song says that I will hasten to Him. It is a song about being resolute in leaving the world’s charms behind and pressing on to be with the Lord. As we look out upon another year ending and a new one just beginning, what resolutions are we making for the New Year? What are we leaving behind in 2015, and what are we pressing on towards?

     In the Philippian letter, Paul writes, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). We might look back at last year’s resolutions and see how we did. Perhaps our resolution only lasted a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe we were resolved to lose ten pounds last year, and now we are only fifteen pounds away from our goal. But, forgetting those things that are behind us, let us look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to be resolved to do better.

     In 2016 let us then be resolved to:

  • Lose the weight of sin in our lives (Heb. 12:1)
  • Exercise greater discernment between good and evil (Psalm 34:14)
  • Improve our spiritual health (1 Peter 1:13-16)
  • Keep our souls safe and help save the souls of those around us (Mat. 28:19-20)
  • Stop making excuses and abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

I am reminded of an old commercial that showed a man at his desk and each year the pile of papers grew higher. Each year he stated that this was the year he was going to hunker down and get something accomplished. Is 2016 the year that we will grow closer to the Lord? Or will 2016 be like every other year? The choice is ours. The next year is ready and waiting. Are we resolved no longer to linger?

What is Man’s Greatest Problem?

Posted on by under Christian Living

IRAQI FREEDOM

     If we were to take a survey and ask folks their answer to the question above, we would likely get many different responses. Some would claim that the terrorism that we see in our world today is mankind’s greatest problem. Others might say something related to the economy, the jobless rate, global warming, a want of political leadership, or the lack of unity among us as Americans that threatens to destroy us from within. Above and beyond all of these particular problems, though, is one problem that plagues all of mankind no matter where we live on the globe. That is the problem of sin.

     While all of those worldly problems may threaten us while we are here, the problem of sin transcends this world and has implications in the life that is to come. The Bible says that all the things of this life are going to be destroyed someday. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV).   Sin has eternal results. Sin separates us from God. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

     Before you say that you have no sin in your life, consider what the Bible says about that as well. God’s word says that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). If we claim to not have sinned, we lie and the truth is not in us, and we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:8-10). Because of the sin problem that all men have, we need to have Jesus so that we can overcome it. We have to believe in Him and His power to cleanse us from sin if we will walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Don’t die lost in your sins. Come to Jesus for His healing power and receive the gift of life instead!

Why Did He Do That?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Set-Free     Have you ever wondered just why Jesus came to earth, especially at this time of the year when the world is thinking about Him? Consider for a moment what Jesus already knew before He ever left heaven. He knew that men would seek to kill Him as a toddler (Mat. 2:16). He knew that He would not be received by His own people (John 1:10-11). He knew that He would be rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3-5). He knew that He would be put to death on the cross, not for any wrong that He had done, but for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 53:9; 2 Pet. 2:22-25). And, yet, He came anyway. Why?

     Jesus left the beauties of heaven to come to earth below for one main reason. He came because He loves us all. A very popular scripture tells us that God loved us so much that He gave us His one and only unique Son, so that we might believe in Him, obey Him, and have everlasting life (John 3:16)! Because He loves us, He wants for all of mankind to be saved. The Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b, NKJV). While we were yet sinners and undesirable, He came and died for us (Romans 5:8).

     Thereto is another part of the reason that Jesus came to earth. We are sinners. As human beings no matter how hard we try, we are not able to be perfect in obedience to God’s word. In Romans 3:23 we read, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Farther along we read, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Our sins bring us death, because they separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Since we all have sinned and separated ourselves from God, and since the just payment of our sins is death, Jesus came to take that penalty away and to reconcile us to back to God. Jesus came so that we might live.

     All Jesus asks for in return is that we believe in Him and obey Him. That is all He wants in return for His great sacrifice. If we claim to love Him, this we will do. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).