Ephesians 1:7-10
Because of the sacrifice of the
Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free
people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.
And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of
everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us
in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before
us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought
together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything
on planet earth.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
Recently, I did an online
search for some free sheet music for piano arrangements of hymns. The
search results included a site that sounded perfect. So when I visited
the actual website, I was disappointed to see that each piano
arrangement had a “click here to purchase” button. Where was the “free”
stuff? Then I noticed that there was a button to click for “free
information” about piano arrangements of hymns. Deceptive advertising?
Yes...but sadly, not all that uncommon. These days, you truly have to
read the fine print...on virtually everything!
But here’s the GOOD NEWS...there is no “fine print” when it comes to Jesus. His blood paid for our sins on the cross...ALL.OF.THEM.
Just like this scripture passage tells us, God thought of absolutely
everything and sent Jesus to handle it all for us. There is nothing
that was left undone...no plans are incomplete. God loves us so much
that He accounted for everything.
This does not give us license
to go on our merry way and do whatever we please, confident that Jesus
has us, quite literally...covered! This actually adds to our
responsibilities and duties. Such a Gift as our salvation and the
promise of eternal life begs for our devotion and discipleship in
return! But God knows us...He knows we are human – and therefore
imperfect. We will have days when things simply do not go well for
us...or anyone else in our line of fire! And on those days, God says,
“It’s paid for...I’ve got this! Jesus has already paid the price in
full. Now go...and do better tomorrow.”
Isn’t this wonderful
news? Aren’t you grateful to God for such an amazing sacrifice in the
form of His Son, Jesus Christ? Doesn’t the very thought of this make
you love Him even more...and desire to worship and serve Him with every
fiber of your being? Will you stop today and affirm your promise to
honor Jesus in everything you say and do...to give Him the glory and the
reverence that He is due...and to show your respect with every single
word and gesture?
Not all “free gifts” are truly free...but
Jesus’ gift of salvation most certainly is! Isn’t it time we held this
in the highest regard? Wouldn’t today be a perfect time to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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