GOD’S MERCY AND GRACE

“God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” 1 John 4:9 NLT

          I told a man one time that Jesus died for him. His response was, “I never asked Him to do that.”  I could tell by his reaction that the underlying meaning in his words was “don’t lay that guilt trip on me, I never asked Him to die for me.” Perhaps he didn’t think of himself as a sinner, most unbelievers don’t.  They readily admit they aren’t perfect, but they also aren’t nearly as bad as this person or that person.  Invariably the name of Hitler and Ted Bundy get brought up as the example of true sinners worthy of hell fire.  So if man isn’t a sinner then why on earth did Jesus come in the first place?

          The fact is that we are all sinners. Sin, in its simplest terms is disregard for a moral/ethical standard, primarily the one set forth by Almighty God.  Just because a person doesn’t believe that to be true doesn’t negate its’ authenticity.  There has to be some standard to follow.  It should be obvious that man can’t establish it.  He carries far too much baggage to put forth rules that are fair and just for everyone.  The One who created all of mankind is the One who would be best suited to decide what was fair and equitable for His creation.

          So why did God come in the form of the man Jesus to walk the earth among His creation and then allow Himself to be tortured and hung on a criminal’s cross to die.  There had to have been some compelling reason for the Creator of the universe to do that.  It involved a lie and disobedience to a command.¹  That’s all it took to set the downward spiral of sin in motion.  God knew man would sin against Him, yet He loved him anyway.  Regardless of what man did against the will of the Lord, He loved him anyway.  And He always will love us, but that we shouldn’t see that as license to live as we please.  Christ came to cleanse us from the stench and stain of our sins.  That’s why He came.  He had to come, for if He did not we would forever be lost with no hope of forgiveness.  Have you thanked God for His mercy and grace today?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

¹ Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-4

THE NEXT NEW DEVO WILL BE SENT OUT MONDAY, FEB 29th, 2016.