Let’s just explore this for a minute, because it has become so commonplace in our lives it sometimes loses its wonder. Jesus did die on the cross for our sins. That is true. But he did not just die, he paid the penalty for my sin and became the perfect sacrifice.
I want you to think of the worst sin you have committed. Don’t be afraid to think about it for a minute. Spend a minute feeling the sorrow that surrounded the sin. I want you to remember as you do this that Jesus forgives prostitutes, liars, murderers, thieves, adulterers, sexually immoral and many many other sins..so don’t be afraid to go to that sin in your life for a moment. The sin no one knows about, the sin you are ashamed to vocalize, the sin you trying to forget. It may even be a sin you are struggling with right now. I want you to go there. I want you to feel the guilt, shame, embarassment, sadness, grief, loneliness, and dirtiness, that goes with that sin. I want you to remember how this sin makes you feel.
And now as we say Jesus died on the cross for my sins it is no longer trivial anymore, but personal. That sin you have never told or spoken out loud, the guilt shame and regret you have surrounding the sin in your mind, hold it there for just a second and now I want you to picture your Savior, Jesus. With each nail that was placed in his hands and feet that sin, that terrible embarrassing moment of your life was nailed there. Each time the hammer hit, your sin, my sins and the sin of all who would believe in Christ was nailed to that cross. As the blood poured from his side and the thorns cut his head- your guilt, shame, and sinful self was placed on Him.
If you remember the movie Peter pan you will remember that he lost his shadow. Wendy put it in the drawer for him and when he came to her house his Shadow ran around the room until Peter caught it and Wendy was able to sew it back onto him. I want you to picture your sin like that shadow in the drawer.
That shadow of death, that shadow of doubt, the shadow of unspoken guilt ridden sin, the shadow of disgrace…take that shadow of sin out of the drawer of your heart and realize that in the moment you repent, your sinful self is sewed to Jesus permanently. It is now His to bear and not yours anymore. You don’t have to live in that shadow any longer because you are a new creation!
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
The penalty of all sin is death. We were dead in our transgressions (sins) and without belief in our savior we would be destined for hell. It doesnt matter if we are ‘good’ people. Even one sin, one lie, one lustful or covetous thought is enough to separate us from the love of God. But Christ said I am going to die in the place of my children. He said Father you have given them to me, He died for the world and for all those who would believe and repent.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
1 John 4:9?-?10
As Jesus breathed his last breath and said Father into your hands I commit my spirit-your sin went with Him. As Christ exhaled his last breath, He inhaled the sins of many.
Then the perfect atoning sacrifice was complete. A sinless Savior to carry the most treacherous of sins and wash you white as snow. When you say Jesus died on the cross for my sins this is NOT a trivial statement. He died for your past sin, your current sin, your future sin and for the worst sins you have committed. His death on a cross was also your death because he paid that penalty for you so you don’t have to die a death of sin and judgement but instead when your physical body does die, it will be a death of life and resurrection. Because three days after Jesus died, our savior rose from the dead and with his resurrection we also rose as new creations in Christ. The old has gone. The new is here.
Friend, let’s not minimize the magnitude of that day. Also, I would encourage you as a redeemed child of God to avoid living in a ‘such a worm as I, woe is me’ state of mind. Yes of course, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God but there is now no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus. Just like the woman caught in adultery was about to get stoned and after Jesus asked her has anyone condemned you? She said “no sir”. Jesus told her then neither do I condemn you. Now go and live a life free of sin. He says the same to you and to me
You are free and redeemed in him.
You cannot be condemed by others if Christ is your savior and you are no longer condemned by God.
So go and leave your life of sin and revel in the Miracle, Majesty and Sacrifice of the cross.
The Lord Bless you and Keep you,
Kara
Friend, if you do not know Jesus then this message is for you. Please consider praying this prayer below and let the Savior of the world take your guilt, shame and shadow of your heart away. It is nailed to the cross, to Jesus the moment you repent and turn to Him. You can then live a life free of condemnation because He has taken your place and redeemed you. He loves you and wants you to turn to Him today!
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