The older I get the more I realize the incredible gift of eternal life and come to understand the sacrifice Christ made for me. As a young child growing up in the church I heard of Christ’s sacrifice for me so often that I took it for granted. I learned to be a “good” law abiding Christian and though I knew works didn’t “get” me in to heaven, I felt they would make the Lord love me more. This led to a lot of messed up thinking on my part. From seeking perfection in my life to be “good enough” to judging others who didn’t measure up to my standards that I chose to live by, my thinking didn’t allow for much grace and mercy.
But then you get older. Time goes by and you see things, you experience things and the Holy Spirit changes you little by little. Recently, our family experienced a shocking revelation of sin in one member’s life. It was completely uncharacteristic and completely out of the blue. But I was more shocked by the first thought that came to my mind, “We are all sinners. Sin is sin. Whether it’s big or little. So thank you, Jesus for your grace and mercy!”
Paul mentions this to his young men-tee, Timothy when he realized the depths to which Christ rescued him from.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1
When I am reminded of the depth of my sin, I am reminded that my “little” sins are no better or worse than the murderers, thieves, and the lawless and disobedient. The only difference is recognizing my need for a savior. Thank you, Jesus for reaching down and lifting me out of the pit of hell and bestowing on me eternal life.
I love the Lord, because he has heard
my voice and my pleas for mercy.
2 Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4 Then I called on the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserves the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7 Return, O my soul, to your rest;
for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
8 For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling;
9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Psalm 116:1-9
Thank you, Lord that we are not alone. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ who humbled himself and was obedient to you, sacrificing his life for mine. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God be honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.
Sixty-six books in a year 