Skip to main content

The Gift of the Cross

    Do Christians get special treatment? Does God love them more than He loves non believers? After hearing and being asked questions like these, I think it's time for some clarification. How does the relationship between believers and God look versus nonbelievers?

    The first think we need to understand is yes, Christians do get special "treatment" or "benefits" from God. This is because of Jesus. When God the Father sent His son to earth, He was born into this world without the nature to sin. Therefore, He lived out His life without ever breaking the law. He was perfect and unworthy of death because death is a consequence of sin. He then became the sacrifice for our sins so that we would be able to have eternal life. But along with that comes all the other privileges of sonship. The Father now views us through the lens of Jesus, as if we have never sinned. We are allowed the same gifts the Father gave His son, including His very Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who was sent to us after Jesus ascended into Heaven. 

     Now how does that relate to nonbelievers? Nonbelievers are just as loved by God. The only difference is, they have not yet accepted the gift of Jesus and gained everything that comes with it--including the favor of God. However, we know that it is God's will that everyone will be saved! It breaks the Father's heart when someone dies without ever accepting Him. He wants to give all His blessings to all His children. 

    If you don't yet know Jesus, I want you to know that He loves you more than anyone on this earth ever could. It is His will to bless you abundantly! But He will never force anyone into loving Him. He wants you to be free to choose Him. It is my prayer that you do, for I can imagine no greater gift than Jesus' love and sacrifice.

1 John 3:5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. (NIV)

John 3:6-7 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don't be surprised when I say, 'You must be born again.' (NLT)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

1 Timothy 2:3-6 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, Himself human, who gave Himself — a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. (HCSB)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

He Time

     We have now gone over me time and we time, so today I want to address He time. It's a pretty simple concept-- that we have to spend time with Jesus to grow our faith. Just like anything else we want to get better at, you have to spend time doing it. In the case of Christianity, we are changed into the image of Jesus as we spend time with Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)     My message is as simple as this-- make sure that you are setting time aside for Christ. You will never change if you don't continually immerse yourself into His presence. We need to be spending time in His word so we know His promises and guidelines for our life, in prayer to speak to Him for individual direction in our circumstances, and worshipping Him for His goodness.     Do not le...

Here's to New Beginnings!

    As 2014 begins, with it comes talk of a fresh start and new beginnings. Resolutions are made to eat healthier, save money, travel, learn a new skill etc. But as Christ followers, the new year is always a good reminder of who we are in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (HCSB) Galatians 2:20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (HCSB) Ephesians 4:22-24 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (HCSB) Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let...

Knock-Knock

Revelation 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV)     When you think of a gentleman what comes to mind? A man who holds open doors, pulls out your chair, and helps you with your coat? Whatever your definition is, one thing I think we can agree on is that a gentleman is never pushy. He is "gentle" and meek, respecting all those around him. To me, Jesus is the perfect example of a gentleman.     A gentleman never pushes for his way, but respects your thoughts and opinions even if they disagree with his own. But that doesn't mean that he lets his own beliefs fall to the wayside because of what you believe. Does that not describe Jesus? He waits for us to make our choices, but remains the same perfect, faithful and unchanging God. We were always created to have free will. We have a choice to have a relationship with Jesus, or not. To sin, or not. To...