Once we understand our spiritual condition, that without God we are nothing, then we can appreciate the need for a Savior. We often lose sight of the abject poverty of our souls without Him, by taking credit in some way for our salvation. Why did God choose me? Did it have anything to do with the gifts He gave me, how He wanted me to use those gifts, or the people I would be able to share the Gospel with? No! He doesn’t need me. He chose me! Just as easily, He could have used anyone else to accomplish what He chose for me to accomplish. He chose me for His pleasure and His purpose! Why would He choose a wretched sinner like me? Because that speaks of His nature, rather than mine. We have trouble understanding that kind of love, for we don’t see it anywhere else. What is the greatest love?
3 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13
Jesus did more than just lay down His life. The Bible reminds us that He loved us that much while we were still sinners. It reminds me of a woman who falls in love with a prisoner, in jail for a violent crime. What could she possibly see in Him? Potential? Jesus doesn’t see potential in us…He sees the work that He will complete in us.
What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. In the Garden of Eden when Adam sinned, God killed an innocent animal and clothed the naked couple. He “covered their sin” by the spilling of innocent blood. That is exactly what happened with the Old Testament sacrificial system, as God gave the Jews a remedy for sin in His Law. Once again, by the spilling of innocent blood, there was forgiveness.
2 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
Hebrews 9:22
When Jesus endured the cross, and suffered death, the ultimate sacrifice occurred. Jesus was the only one who could live on this earth and be sin-free. Thus, He was the only one who could be innocent in the eyes of His Father.
His death didn’t occur for the just, but the unjust. In Romans, Paul reminds us that there is not one righteous man. We often forget that each talent and ability that we have is but a gift of God. Through His gifts, He enables us to touch others. But that need for grace is the most telling reminder, for we never should lose sight of the fact that we are far away from God without it. Grace has been described as getting what we don’t deserve, unmerited favor, or with the acronym “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” Yet it’s more than that. Grace is the greatest gift given to the most unworthy recipients. We could spend the rest of eternity in contemplation and thankfulness for His gift of grace. All of our hope, faith and love hinge on what He accomplished on our behalves.
Though Jesus loved the whole world and came to save everyone, His gift is not received by all. We have to open the gift! How we do that is to receive Him as our Lord and Savior, acknowledging what He did for us on the cross and acknowledging that He is God. Additionally, we need to confess our sins.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
If you want the greatest gift, you must make the smallest sacrifice. Humble yourself to acknowledge your sins to Him, for without that acceptance, you cannot know His love!
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