Think about your worst enemy. What are you willing to do for that person? What are you willing to sacrifice for your enemy? Most of us have to wrestle and argue with God before we are willing to consider praying for them (Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you - Luke 6:28). Don't panic, this post is not about how to treat your enemies, although that's a conversation we should have at some point. We will save that one for another day. Today, as we approach the celebration of Resurrection Sunday, let's consider what God the Father did for us while we were His enemies (But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son... - Rom 5:8,10a). Most of us don't think about it, but prior to the work of Christ on the cross and subsequently, His work in our lives through our acceptance of this work for our salvation, we were not only alienated from God, we were His enemies. But God! He didn't just say that He loves us, God proved that He loves us: (For when were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly - Rom 5:6). We were powerless, incapable of helping our ourselves, and hopeless. But God! (But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) - Eph 2:4-5) God's love for us is not based upon how lovely we are or how lovable. His unimaginable, incomprehensible, and unwavering love is based upon His intrinsic character. God is Good! God is Merciful! As we celebrate His Resurrection, let's not forget what Christ did for us on the cross. While Christ was on the cross and we were enemies with God, He was actually reconciling and restoring us back into relationship with God the Father and securing our salvation. He was not adding up all of our sins and charging them to our account; instead, He put all of our wrong to His account and He put all of His righteousness to our account (imputation). He exchanged our ragged sinful coats for His garment of righteousness (To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...- II Cor 5:19; For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him - II Cor 5:20; He was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed - Is 53:5). Christ died for our salvation, but on Resurrection Morning He arose from the grave with all power so that we could be justified (declared righteous). His Resurrection is proof that God the Father accepted the sacrifice of God the Son. He is risen and we are declared righteous! (But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offense, and was raised again for our justification - Rom 4:24-25). Isn't it wonderful that we serve a God that loved us enough to prove His love to us even though we were at odds with Him, and we have a Savior who was willing to die so that we could live. If Christ died for us while we were enemies of God, now that we have been reconciled to Him, how much more will He do for us through His resurrected life. (For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life - Rom 5:10). When we accept the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we go from being enemies of God to children of God (Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God...- I John 3:1). Now that's Love! Have a blessed Resurrection Day! so glad we are loved, Diane p.s. let's spend some time appreciating and experiencing the magnitude of God's love for us this week. Let's pray that we begin to understand and enjoy His love. If something happens or has happened that makes you feel unloved, I pray that you would indeed come to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge (Eph 3:19). |
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