Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Love Dare - Day 20: Love Is Jesus Christ

So, yesterday we talked all about the love that God gives us and how it is the ONLY way that we can know how to love others. And today we are going to expand on that a little.

"While we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly." - Rom. 5:6



"Love Is Jesus Christ" - What does that sentence say to you? I am really asking, I would love to hear your answers. Because to me, it speaks volumes.

There is a saying that says "It was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross, but His love for us." I LOVE that! I mean, not only did He leave Heaven for you, He also DIED for you! WOW! And He didn't just die, He humbled Himself to death on a cross. Do you KNOW how far He had to humble himself for that? I mean really? A cross was the most shameful way to die. Only the WORST criminals were led to death that way. If it was a "minor" infraction you were stoned to death. A little worse and you were hung from a tree. But a cross - oooohhhh, you were very bad! So, for a perfect man to go to the cross, was humility like none other.

Did HE deserve the cross? NO! But did we? Yes.

What? You say you have never committed a crime like that? well, let's look a little closer...

Murder - OK, maybe you have not killed anyone. But have you ever HATED anyone?

Adultery - So, you have never cheated, but have you ever looked? Bible says that having lust in your heart is just as bad. (Dern that George Strait!!!)

Shall I go on? I didn't think so.

You see, we have all sinned. And the Bible tells us that "the wages of sin is death" - we deserve no better than death. But, our death penalty has been paid. By a perfect man. On a cross.

He did not deserve a cross, and we do not deserve salvation. But He let Himself be crucified so that we might know His righteousness. He took our penalty, and we are given His reward.

His reward is life everlasting. For, on the third day, He rose again. He beat death, so we might live!!!

The reward, though, is only ours if we accept it. He offers it freely, but we must take Him at His word.

We could never earn it on our own - NEVER. And He knew that, so He chose to earn it for us. He chose to pay our penalty and die our death. All so that we might live with Him eternally.

He forgave.

Because we have been granted a love we cannot earn and forgiveness we do not deserve, and because THAT love teaches us to love, can we not share that forgiveness too? We love because He first loved us. Can we forgive because He has forgiven us? I think we can.

Better yet, in HIS power ... I KNOW we can!


TODAY'S DARE
Dare to take God at His word. Dare to trust Jesus Christ for salvation. Dare to pray, "Lord Jesus, I'm a sinner. But You have shown Your love for me by dying to forgive my sins, and You have proven Your power to save me from death by Your resurrection. Lord, change my heart, and save me by Your grace."


Remember, I am praying for you!!!

See ya tomorrow!!!

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