It doesn't take much perusing of the news to see that there's ample brokenness in the world today - as there has been in every generation since Adam and Eve decided to disobey God and eat the fruit they were commanded to not eat. In that moment, sin and rebellion entered into humanity and this has been very obvious ever since.
Guess what readers? We are not capable of solving our own problems; they are simply too big! Even if we reduced our carbon emissions to 0, completely removed all trash and plastic from our oceans, no longer murdered unborn babies, removed all guns from the hands of those that would use them with murderous intent, eliminated poverty, AIDs, cancer, diabetes, obesity, meth addiction, painkiller addiction, porn addiction, and no longer infringed on the habitats of endangered animals - even if we did all these things - we would still be incredibly broken people. Even if there was ample clean drinking water, clean energy, and plentiful food for everyone on earth - we would still be broken beyond measure.
These things - noble as they are - don't address the deep brokenness of our human condition. Because we are selfish, prideful, lustful, covetous, and self-righteous to name a few. We are easily angered. We harbor bitterness, resent and desire for revenge. And sadly - we usually see these sins as "not that bad".
Friend, if Jesus needed to be killed in the most inhumane way possible to pay the penalty for your selfish pride, lustful desires, bitterness, and unrighteous anger, then they are serious. Please don't for a minute think these things are small in God's eyes.
God has holy wrath that hates the sin and rebellion. The wrath can either be poured out upon Jesus for all who put their faith in Him, or you can die and face judgment while only standing on your own merits. And that is a situation I pray to God you don't have to endure, because the verdict will be 'guilty' according to God's holy standard and your sentencing will be eternal separation from God in a place the Bible calls the lake of fire.
Some would call this cheap grace - to repent of one's sins and let Jesus bear your wrath for you. Friend, there is nothing cheap about this, nor should the decision to repent and pledge allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom be a passing thought. The cost to follow Jesus is great, but so was the price He paid. And I can tell you that it's worth it both in this life and the life to come.
Blessings on your spiritual journey. My prayers are with you.
Guess what readers? We are not capable of solving our own problems; they are simply too big! Even if we reduced our carbon emissions to 0, completely removed all trash and plastic from our oceans, no longer murdered unborn babies, removed all guns from the hands of those that would use them with murderous intent, eliminated poverty, AIDs, cancer, diabetes, obesity, meth addiction, painkiller addiction, porn addiction, and no longer infringed on the habitats of endangered animals - even if we did all these things - we would still be incredibly broken people. Even if there was ample clean drinking water, clean energy, and plentiful food for everyone on earth - we would still be broken beyond measure.
These things - noble as they are - don't address the deep brokenness of our human condition. Because we are selfish, prideful, lustful, covetous, and self-righteous to name a few. We are easily angered. We harbor bitterness, resent and desire for revenge. And sadly - we usually see these sins as "not that bad".
Friend, if Jesus needed to be killed in the most inhumane way possible to pay the penalty for your selfish pride, lustful desires, bitterness, and unrighteous anger, then they are serious. Please don't for a minute think these things are small in God's eyes.
God has holy wrath that hates the sin and rebellion. The wrath can either be poured out upon Jesus for all who put their faith in Him, or you can die and face judgment while only standing on your own merits. And that is a situation I pray to God you don't have to endure, because the verdict will be 'guilty' according to God's holy standard and your sentencing will be eternal separation from God in a place the Bible calls the lake of fire.
Some would call this cheap grace - to repent of one's sins and let Jesus bear your wrath for you. Friend, there is nothing cheap about this, nor should the decision to repent and pledge allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom be a passing thought. The cost to follow Jesus is great, but so was the price He paid. And I can tell you that it's worth it both in this life and the life to come.
Blessings on your spiritual journey. My prayers are with you.
