Have you ever held a grudge against someone else? Have you ever said something mean to someone else in anger? Have you ever had those things done to you by someone else?
I think it’s safe to say that we can all answer “yes” to one or more of those questions. And if you think you have never done or experienced that, you might be lying to yourself. Similarly, if you’ve only thought those things, then it’s the same as doing it according to God’s Law.
Sin is sin. All sin separates us from God. He knows that none of us can save ourselves from the eternal punishment for them.
So, God – out of the abundance of His everlasting love for us all – sent His only Son, Jesus Christ to step down from His throne in heaven and become one of us. And Jesus – out of His abundant and everlasting love for us all – took all of our sins onto Himself, and died on the cross for them, in our place.
His death on the cross destroyed the chains of sin that bound us, once and for all. Then Jesus – out of His abundant and everlasting love for us all – rose victorious from the dead, defeating death once and for all. Then Jesus – out of His abundant and everlasting love for us all – ascended back to heaven to prepare a place for all that believe in Him.
But why would our Almighty God sacrifice a portion of Himself for us sinners?
LOVE; because God loves us more than He loves Himself.
So, what are we supposed to do with this knowledge of God’s love for us as we wait for Jesus to return?
LOVE; love God and love our neighbors, with God’s help.
Jesus told His disciples – and us – to go tell everyone about the great Gospel message of salvation and forgiveness of sins that He freely gives to anyone and everyone who believes His Words. He instructed them – and us – to baptize all people of all nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and to teach them all that He has taught us.
The greatest way that we could ever show Christ’s love to our neighbors would be to share this great news and God’s love with everyone who will hear it.
“We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:19-20 ESV)
Soli Deo Gloria!
(Published on the Devotional Page of the Alpine Avalanche Newspaper on Thurs, May 2, 2024)
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