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When Will it be Real?
by annie keys The week before Easter, my six year old grandson was riding in the car with me. On every street corner, there was a church with the "cross of Calvary" newly erected on their front lawn. Zac, knowing what Easter is about, asked me if all the crosses were for Jesus. I told him, "Yes". After we rode for a few moments, passing more churches with crosses, he said, "Mamaw, how many times does Jesus have to die on the cross for it to be real?" An innocent, yet stunningly profound question that each of us should ask ourselves. If I could be perfect on my own, there would have been no need for a savior. Scripture says that Jesus died once for all sins. (I Peter 3:18) After accepting the blood of Christ; the decision to lead a Godly life is a choice I make moment by moment. (Romans 6:1-2) When I make a decision to follow Christ, I'm a new person; the old ways have been set aside. (II Corinthians 5:17) However, when I commit my heart to Jesus, God does not MAKE me behave. He does offer me the awareness of sin and the strength to resist temptation. (I Corinthians 10:13) God knows my flesh is weak, so He sent His Holy Spirit to convict me of sin. (John 16:7-10) Reading the Bible also makes me aware of sin; explaining in detail how to recognize AND avoid it. (I Corinthians 6:9-11). People can not judge me, the Word of God, however, does judge me. I don't have to wonder what being a Christian means; the Word of God provides instruction, direction and help for when I do 'slip'. The book of I John teaches how to live a life that represents Christ. The scripture says if I ignore the sacrifice for my sins by continuing in sin, after accepting the blood shed at Calvary; I have no part in Christ! How many times does Jesus have to die for my sins? Once. How many times do my rebellion and self will nail him to the cross again? Every time that I choose to go my way instead of living the Christ life; I decide that Jesus' death was not enough to cover my sin. Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. I'm a wife, mother, a grandmother and I love to write! I'm a retired Pastor's Secretary and a former Assistant Kid's church Pastor. I write Children's material and devotions. I love to use 'real life', especially the exploits of children, to illustrate scriptural truth. www.rubberontheroad.org Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |