For every action there is a reaction, right? In the same way that there is an effect for every cause, the effect of disobeying and sinning leads to death. Sin is not part of My nature kid, it is quite the opposite. Just as darkness cannot stand in the presence of light, sin cannot stand in My presence. You were born into this world, a sinful nature, yet I wanted you to be able to stand in My presence. Something had to change.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
My dear child, today we are getting personal, going back to the roots and motives. No one, in all of history was able to obey My law. They had to work for salvation, it was a never-ending cycle. They had to slaughter cattle to use the blood for their sanctification. If I'm being honest with you, there wouldn't have been enough goats or sheep to carry the weight of this world's sin.
It was not based on your works or good intentions, but by My grace and love that you have been freed. I willingly laid Myself on the altar to be the perfect and last sacrifice. Through My blood, you are sanctified.
For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (TPT)
So you are free in Christ, a new creation. But it doesn't stop here. I want you to sit and chew on this next part. It might be hard to understand or to put into action, but in it lies forgiveness and love for others.
Freely you have received; freely give.
Matthew 10:8 (NIV)
Do not hold this gift of salvation for yourself. I am the perfect example of love and forgiveness. You deserved death, but I gave you everlasting life.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)
This is not how the world teaches you. Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it (Isaiah 8:12 (NIV)). I know that you want others to be punished for their actions. I believe in justice, but leave the judgment seat to Me. Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (Deuteronomy 32:35).
The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ. God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it’s now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.
Romans 3:23-26 (MSG)
Freely you have received; freely give.
I love you, always and forever,
Dad
Out of Hiding - Steffany Gretzinger & Amanda Cook (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkDqQtfs0w&list=RDXFkDqQtfs0w&start_radio=1)
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