Jesus is the "Difference Maker"
GOD’S GRACE
Now that the human condition along with all creation is so severally disfigured, we have no hope. Remember, mankind is now a slave to sin and has no desire whatsoever to seek God. We were created with a sole purpose to bring glory to God, and we have failed. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.” There was absolutely no remedy or possibility for salvation within the realm of the creation itself.
I pray we more clearly appreciate God’s “grace” from this time forward. Grace means “unmerited” or undeserved” favor from God. Undoubtedly we deserve death because we have all sinned. We are guilty. We royally messed things up. We no longer “have a clue.” We have no power within ourselves to save us. It is, beyond doubt, a hopeless situation.
This is the reason it comes as welcoming, magnificent, overwhelming, earth-shaking news when we realize God sent His own Son to take our punishment upon Himself…when we understand God is not giving us what we deserve…when we comprehend that due to God’s unfailing love for us, He still wants a relationship with us. He is not yet through with us. God wants to redeem us, forgive us, and restore us despite our failure.
ONLY JESUS
Do you see now why “Jesus” is the difference maker? Only through Christ who accepted our punishment do we have hope. Only through Christ who laid down His life as an offering for our sin can we be forgiven. Only through Christ can our relationship with the Father be restored. Only through Christ are we able once again to shine forth the glory of God which is our created purpose.
You see why Jesus is the “only” way? It is not nearly enough to believe in a “creator” God. That may indeed be our first baby step for someone, but the next step should be an evaluation of the current state of my soul and the realization of my need for a Savior.
You see why Christians cannot accept anything less than a Christianity with Christ at its epicenter? ALL things (all of creation) are restored via one plan – the sacrifice of Jesus.
You see why Christianity is not a religion but a restored “relationship” with God through faith in Jesus Christ? It is impossible for anyone in a fallen state to follow the moral teachings of Christ without first being saved BY Christ.
Only through Jesus are we restored to our pre-fallen condition. Only through Christ are we once again capable of displaying our created purpose to bring glory to God and reflect the image of God. It is “Imago Dei” again!
GOD’S GRACE
Now that the human condition along with all creation is so severally disfigured, we have no hope. Remember, mankind is now a slave to sin and has no desire whatsoever to seek God. We were created with a sole purpose to bring glory to God, and we have failed. The Bible says “The wages of sin is death.” There was absolutely no remedy or possibility for salvation within the realm of the creation itself.
I pray we more clearly appreciate God’s “grace” from this time forward. Grace means “unmerited” or undeserved” favor from God. Undoubtedly we deserve death because we have all sinned. We are guilty. We royally messed things up. We no longer “have a clue.” We have no power within ourselves to save us. It is, beyond doubt, a hopeless situation.
This is the reason it comes as welcoming, magnificent, overwhelming, earth-shaking news when we realize God sent His own Son to take our punishment upon Himself…when we understand God is not giving us what we deserve…when we comprehend that due to God’s unfailing love for us, He still wants a relationship with us. He is not yet through with us. God wants to redeem us, forgive us, and restore us despite our failure.
ONLY JESUS
Do you see now why “Jesus” is the difference maker? Only through Christ who accepted our punishment do we have hope. Only through Christ who laid down His life as an offering for our sin can we be forgiven. Only through Christ can our relationship with the Father be restored. Only through Christ are we able once again to shine forth the glory of God which is our created purpose.
You see why Jesus is the “only” way? It is not nearly enough to believe in a “creator” God. That may indeed be our first baby step for someone, but the next step should be an evaluation of the current state of my soul and the realization of my need for a Savior.
You see why Christians cannot accept anything less than a Christianity with Christ at its epicenter? ALL things (all of creation) are restored via one plan – the sacrifice of Jesus.
You see why Christianity is not a religion but a restored “relationship” with God through faith in Jesus Christ? It is impossible for anyone in a fallen state to follow the moral teachings of Christ without first being saved BY Christ.
Only through Jesus are we restored to our pre-fallen condition. Only through Christ are we once again capable of displaying our created purpose to bring glory to God and reflect the image of God. It is “Imago Dei” again!
