“But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Romans 1:18 NLT)
If we’re honest, there’s not much for which we’d be willing to trade our life. We say a lot of things we don’t mean under pressure or when frightened, but when our heads are clear and we’re thinking straight, as a rule, we’re number one in our heart and mind, and that for which we might choose to die had better be worth a lot.
Recently, in a Ron Hutchcraft devotional, Ron wrote of a mom who spoke before a crowd of 70 thousand people at a Billy Graham Crusade. This came shortly after the end of the first Gulf War, and Dr. Graham had asked her to read a letter she’d received from her son who had served.
He had died in a helicopter crash on the last day of the war. He had written a letter to his mother and given it to a good friend with instructions to mail it only if he was killed. Now she shared his letter with those in that stadium. His letter said, “Mom, if you’re reading this letter, it means I didn’t make it. But that’s OK, Mom. Because now, for the first time, I’m smarter than you are! Because Mom, I’ve seen heaven. I’ve seen Jesus!”
Knowing where you’re going when you die can make all the difference in terms of for whom or what you may be willing to die. Jesus died for sinful mankind, many of whom would never express appreciation, because most of them would never seek His forgiveness. Do you think Jesus ever regretted going to the Cross? In my mind and heart, I’m confident He never did. How can I be so sure? Because my conviction is had you or I been the only people to ever live who needed a Savior, He would have still died for us! That’s the love of God! Sacrificial, unlimited in its effort to reach those without hope of heaven.
Ron wrote in the article referenced above: “There’s something about us that gets all uptight about things that matter a little and largely complacent about things that break and even enrage the heart of God. We can really get up a head of steam about worship music, or liberals, or Christians who are ‘different,’ or the way the culture’s going downhill. But then we can be strangely unmoved by young girls who suddenly disappear into the snake pit of sexual slavery. Or children who cry every night for food that never comes. A woman living with a man she thought loved her, and tonight fearing for her life. Innocent kids, unspeakably twisted and scarred by someone who abuses them for their own gratification.”
We too often think violent, angry, emotion filled thoughts, wishing to see such people suffer for their sins. God sees those who are lost without His Son; those for whom He has opened a way for forgiveness and new life. We want to believe our sin is somehow “not so bad,” but it was bad enough to nail the innocent Son of God to a cross and IT DOESN’T GET ANY WORSE THAN THAT!
OUR sin isn’t any less vile in the sight of God than anyone else’s. We’re all sinners in need of a Savior; a Savior whose mercy has opened the way for ANYONE willing to confess their sin and seek forgiveness to be forgiven. And here’s the truth – someone’s going to die for your sin and mine. It will either be us or Jesus. He leaves the choice to us.
You have to decide for yourself the price you’re willing to pay for your sin. Jesus is clear in His Word that if you bring your sin to Him, He’ll forgive you, but it will cost you your life! Are you willing to give your life in gratitude for all Jesus did for you on the Cross? I am!
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 