When you look at the awe-inspiring beauty of nature: the variety and importance of trees, colorful, fragrant flowers, beautiful birds with cheerful songs, and the intricate design of all life, can you truly say there is no Creator?
5 This is what God the LORD says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it. Isaiah 42:5
What is your opinion of Jesus Christ? Did he, as believers and historians say, perform numerous miracles, demonstrate unsurpassable compassion, teach truth, and die a cruel, undeserved death? Can you believe the word of his followers who, still today, proclaim the Gospel (eternity paid for) even when faced with persecution or death?
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
Jesus claimed he is the only way to our heavenly Father. Was he lying? He explained God’s justice as a necessary part of His perfect holiness. (What fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14) The Almighty Lord demonstrated his love by becoming one of us. What other religion on earth has a god that so thoroughly understands human frailty? During his perfect life Jesus interacted directly with people. He experienced all the (non-sinful) emotions and temptations we do.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
When Jesus said, “It is finished”, it signaled not only an earthquake, witnesses coming to faith and a ripped curtain temple, but it testified there is no more we have to do. No amount of good deeds, donation giving, perfect praying or Scripture memorizing is required. The ticket to eternal joy in heaven is paid in full.
It’s not logical. It’s not how we have been treated on earth by our parents, bosses and other authorities’ demands to do, earn, work harder. It’s counter-intuitive. Grace is undeserved. A gift of unconditional love.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
What is your response to the miracle of grace? God knows your heart, he designed it. But he will not force himself into your life. His Holy Spirit is near you, as you read or hear God’s Word. He is knocking at the door of your heart. The designer of the Universe knows your greatest needs and longings. He already took away your sin, shame and guilt. They hung on the cross and were paid in full, so there’s no need to carry them anymore.
Will you fall into his waiting, loving arms, so he can carry you?
What have you got to lose?
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? … Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
38 I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-32, 38-39
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