Trust

We are a nation that has very little in the way of trust of those who are in authority over us. We feel that most people are looking out for themselves and that whenever they react with us, it is always for their advantage and not ours.

But the sad part is that many times we wind up equating that same thought process to God. When He breaks through our defenses, we tend to think, “He’s after something.” I think that’s why so many people in our culture have a hard time coming to God and giving over their lives to Jesus…they simply do not trust Him (or anyone for that matter).

But Jesus came into this world for no other reason but to give His life as a ransom. PLEASE keep reading, because what I’m about to say here might very well change the course of your life.

You see, you and I and every other person who has ever lived had a huge problem. That problem is that we were born into sin. Because of what Adam did when disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, the nature of sin has been passed on to each and every one of Adam’s descendants…including you and me. And so, we are sinners because that is the inheritance that we receive.

It has nothing to do with whether we’re good enough or not, because we aren’t. We are born into sin, and we are plagued with it until the day we die. But Jesus came into the world as a ransom…a payment for our sin. That baby that we celebrate in the stable went on to grow up over the course of 33 years and become a man who would lay down His life on the cross. And on that cross, He took the punishment for your sin and mine.

Paul said that “the wages of sin is death.” That means that we deserve death because that’s what we have earned through our sinful nature. But he also went on to say that “the gift of God is eternal life.” That means that God wants to give us eternal life as a gift…not because we have earned it or because we are good enough (because we’re not), but simply because He wanted to.

But like all gifts, it had to be paid for. And the payment for our eternal life was eternal death. So Jesus, the God-Man, allowed Himself to be crucified so that the eternal death and separation of a man from God the Father could be born out in Him. God the Father turned His back on God the Son so that in that moment when Jesus cried out, “My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?!” He experienced a separation of Himself with the Father. It boggles the mind, actually, but that’s what was necessary for you and me to be able to have that gift.

Now, there is no other who could have purchased this gift, and because of that fact, there is no other who can offer it. Mohammad cannot offer you eternal life because he did not pay the price for it. Buddha cannot offer you eternal life because he did not pay the price for it. New Age cannot offer you eternal life because it did not pay the price for it. L. Ron Hubbard (the author and founder of Dianetics) cannot offer you eternal life because he did not pay for it. Satan cannot offer you eternal life because he did not pay for it. There is only One who paid that price, and that is Jesus Christ our Lord. That’s why Paul says at the end of that verse that the gift only comes “through Jesus Christ”.

So, my friend, as you read this, have you been moved to think about your life and your eternal soul? There is no better time than now to make that decision to give your life to Christ, to trust in Him, and to allow Him to have full rule and reign in your life. Do it today!

And we’ll see you on Sunday!