Freedom not punishment

Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Acts 13: 38 – 39

There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears in not made perfect in love. I John 4: 18

When Jesus died on the cross, he took all of our sin past, present and future and the guilt and the shame upon himself as the perfect sacrifice.  He took all the punishment that was due to us for our sin.  Our sin incurred the death penalty. As it says in Romans 6:23 ‘for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life.’ Jesus took the death penalty for our sin and in a divine exchange, gave us the free gift of eternal life.  It was a complete, finished work.

However, as Christians, when we do wrong our mind set can still be that God is angry with us and wants to punish us. We need to get hold of this divine truth that God does not want to punish us for anything.  Jesus took ALL the punishment due to us for every sin when he died on the cross.  God does not want to punish us when we do wrong but to set us free from sin and its consequences.

If we look at God’s Word in the light of God’s desire to free us from sin, it takes us from a vengeful God ready to pounce on every wrongdoing to a God that longs for his people to be liberated from the burden of their mistakes. 

This amazing thought can free us from fear; fear of failure, fear of sinning, fear of punishment, fear of judgment, fear of disappointing God.  We cannot disappoint God because he knows what we will do before we do it. Disappointment comes when things do not work out as expected.  If God knows what is going to happen, he cannot be disappointed. 

When we sin or when God shows us our shortcomings, our proud thoughts and bad attitudes, we must resist every temptation to think that God is angry or disappointed in us. We must take hold of the truth that God is liberating us from these shortcomings.

God hates sin because it separates us from his unconditional love.  God has dealt with sin in sinful man through Jesus’ death on the cross (Romans 8: 3 – 4).  Let us live in the joy of being forgiven children of God who need have no fear of their loving heavenly Father and let us walk in that wonderful freedom. 

Salvation for our families

At one time we were too foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of his mercy. He saved us by the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Titus 3: 3 – 6

Today I feel a real urgency to renew our efforts in prayer and intercession for our loved ones who do not yet know the love and kindness of God for themselves. There are angels battling for their souls because God will never give up on anyone till their dying day. He desires that all know him and come unto salvation (I Timothy 2: 4).

This year 4 people that I know have died unexpectedly. Three knew the Lord and one may have made a commitment on their death bed. None of these four were particularly old and though not in good health, none were expected to die as soon as they did. The point is we do not know when we are going to die.

It can be very hard to talk about our faith to our family but we can be a great witness by our lifestyle and by the unconditional love that we show those nearest to us. Most of our family will know only too well what we believe and we do not need to reinforce it. In fact some families have broken relationships caused by heavy handed attempts to evangelise them. What everyone needs is unconditional love and acceptance not unfavourable remarks on their lifestyle. (I do need to say that does not mean accepting abusive situations or substance abuse).

The other thing we must do is pray and not give up praying whatever the evidence or lack of evidence of answers to our prayers. We must pray against the deception and lies of the enemy. We must pray for our loved ones to receive revelation of God’s love and wonderful plans and purposes for their lives. Finally we must pray for Christian witness from outside the family to be shown to them.

I am convinced the devil wants us to give up or become discouraged in praying for the salvation of our families and friends. Let’s renew our efforts today till we see our loved ones saved.

Our righteousness come from God alone

But now a righteousness from God apart from the law has been known to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 21 – 24

It is a sad fact that many Christians are struggling to please God by acts of righteousness and even sadder are those who are trusting in their good deeds and righteousness to get into heaven. In fact it is quite alarming how many born again Christians believe that good works are the key to heaven.

Somehow we know we are all sinners, saved by grace but the good news that believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for our salvation is just too good to be true. Maybe – but true it is!.

When we yielded our lives to him, our filthy rags of self righteousness were taken away and we were given the crystal clear, pure white robe of righteousness that comes from God alone. We did nothing to earn it. It is ours, bought for us by Jesus and his wonderful death on the cross. We are justified by Jesus alone which means that all our acts of sinful selfishness have been replaced by the pure clean record of Jesus’ righteousness. He has done it all and that and that alone is the basis of our eternal life in heaven with God.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to instil in us the truth that our righteousness comes from Jesus alone. As the old hymn says, ‘My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’  Anything we do, any acts of kindness and service are done out of love and thankfulness for all Jesus has done for us. They don’t impress him or win us his favour or blessing. We have those already and they certainly will not open heaven’s door to us. That door was opened wide on the day we gave our lives to him. It should lift a great burden from our hearts that we cannot do anything to earn our eternal life. We just need to relax and enjoy that which has already been given to us by our wonderful Lord.