Blood is dripping from Christ’s face. I want to look away, but I see something supernatural. Jesus looks at me with unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace, covering every sinful thought, attitude, word, or deed I have done or ever will do. Jesus is dying for me, and every person ever born. Jesus took the punishment for the sins of everyone because of his perfect love!
Did God Make a Mistake?
Some people believe Jesus fixed God’s mistake of sin. However, God created us from his pure love, “God is love” (1 John 4:16), and in their, (God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit) image. Being in their image, God gave us the power to choose.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27, ESV)
God knew we would mess it up, yet he had a plan. He empowered people with His word, covenants, and commandments to help us see that we need a Savior, Jesus Christ. The Old Testament reveals our need for Christ and its prophecies foreshadow his birth, death for our salvation, and resurrection. The New Testament fulfills God’s plan and Scripture while giving us the opportunity to love and live with God now and into eternity.
How can there be pure love unless you have the freedom of choice in your relationships? God’s ways are beyond our understanding, but they are perfect when you study the faithfulness of God in the Bible.
He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! (Deut. 32:4, NLT)
God was willing to see his Son bear all the sins of humanity so we would have the opportunity to choose to love and live with him. He witnessed the horrifying crucifixion of Jesus and experienced complete separation when Jesus took on all our sins, to give us this opportunity! How can their unconditional love, grace, and mercy be impure?
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8, ESV)
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18, NLT)
Living for God and Jesus Requires Trust and Obedience
Jesus loved and trusted God. He obeyed God’s plan, no matter what he had to endure. He chose to come to earth and live in a human body while fully being God. Jesus walked, listened, and obeyed God in complete trust because he also loved us unconditionally.
Jesus lived for God because he was one with God. Being one with Jesus means that God walked and lived among us in the body of Christ! Our Creator chose to humble himself and live with us. His choice demonstrates his desire and commitment to be with us in an eternal relationship now and in heaven.
For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Cor. 5:14-15, NASB)
The apostle Paul uses the word “control” to emphasize his choice and conviction to do everything for Christ because of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us. He knows that without Jesus, there is no love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, or eternal life with Jesus and God.
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18, NLT)
What Does Christ’s Crucifixion Mean to You?
Jesus died for all our sins from the beginning of time until he returns. He could have walked away from the pain and sinful human choices we make daily. But Jesus chose to love you unconditionally and show you that you were worth dying for.
Without having a personal relationship with Jesus and God, how can we discern God’s truth that has been proven over the centuries from the lies of the devil who roams this earth? How can you trust someone you don’t know? How can you receive his love?
Several times in my life, my mind and heart fell into a dark abyss that I never thought I would ever escape. But Jesus brought his light and led me by his hand into his restorative healing of love and grace. Learning his ways as his disciple has shown me God’s faithfulness, Christ’s saving grace, and the guidance, correction, and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
I study God’s truth and walk hand in hand with Jesus daily to keep my focus on serving my Savior, who died for me. I know what feeling lost, insignificant, unworthy, shamed, guilty, desperate, unloved, and in utter despair is like. I remember thinking I was too far gone to be saved, but Jesus walked into my darkness and brought me into his light.
Christ’s crucifixion, death, and resurrection made it possible for me to live in his unconditional love that came from his sacrifice on this broken earth in my flawed human condition. He proved he loved me. Therefore, I pledge my life to live and serve my Savior and God. I will do my best to honor him with my life, even if it costs me my body because I trust God’s Word!
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. (Matt. 24:42, NLT)
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. (Rev. 3:11, NLT)
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. (Rev. 22:12, NLT)
What Does Your Life Reveal?
If you claim to be his disciple, are you willing to serve and honor him with your mind, heart, soul, and life, even if it means persecution or death? If it came to your death or having to watch the death of your spouse or child, would you denounce and betray him?
If you are struggling to understand Jesus or God, look for a church that preaches all of God’s word. Avoid ones that pick and choose what they will believe. Test all sermons against the word of God. Ask God to guide you, and then seek him with all your heart. God will direct you when you trust and obey his Word. Look to our Savoir, King, and friend for your salvation because he loves you! Take his hand and live for him!
