The plan of God. Romans 5:6-12.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 (NKJV)
No matter your troubles, you can stand on the scriptural truth that though you struggle powerless against sin, Christ died for you. Each of us struggle with cravings from our body, mindless fits of anger, and unfaithfulness to people and God; yet God never turns His back on us or walks away in disgust, for God loves us regardless of what we have done.
The demeaning effects of sin cause us to view ourselves shamefully when we are caught in the act or cannot break free of an addiction; however, that does not change God's mind about us.
After violating God's order, Adam and Eve hid themselves for they were ashamed of what they did. They felt naked, confused, and scared of God's reaction. Yet God did not smote the down, He made them clothes and then explained to them the consequence of their actions. Yet though they sinned and would face the consequences, God still loved them.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:7-8 (NKJV)
Would you die in the place of an alcoholic living on the street? Would you take the punishment for a person who murdered? Would you forgive a person who wronged children in the pursuit of self pleasure? If honest, your answer is no and because we think in this manor, we find it hard to accept the fact that Christ would do this for us.
If you knew a good person who was about to die from a sickness, if it could be transferred to you, will you let their sickness become yours? Would you be willing to cut your life short so that they could live? Some would, yet there are many that would not and this is what makes the work of Jesus Christ so important to honor. Jesus Christ came to earth, was born to poor parents, resisted sin, was treated poorly and beaten, then killed and He did this for us.
Before the world was made, the plan to deal with sin was set in action. God knew that though He made a man and woman sinless, the deceit of evil would over take them; however, God did not renege on making them; He made away for them to defeat sin and live forever. God committed Himself to love people no matter what they would do and pursue their redemption at any cost.
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:9-11 (NKJV)
The determination of God to love people, no matter what they have done, is an awesome revelation to the person who carry heavy burdens; yet, we cannot stop at the knowledge that God loves us, we must go further into the plan of God to save us from the darkness of an eternity apart from God.
If we could throw up our hands justifying our actions by saying, "I'm a sinner and God loves me," then being a Christian would take little to no effort on our part. However, a part of the plan was, though loved by God, a person must love God back by being willing to forsake their sin to be transformed by the same power that raised Christ from the dead. These two elements complete the plan of God and makes eternity in heaven possible.
Some people feel that God will never forgive them of what they have done; but they are wrong. There are many who live with a constant reminder of the wrong they committed; yet only when they submit to God will they be able to feel forgiven.
This means that there is no time to waste in coming to God. We are only alive on this earth for a short time and for many of us, it does not give us much time left. Why would we want to live under the guilt of sin when we can be free through Christ's death on the cross?
For some, accepting this forgiveness seems to easy and they feel as if they must right a wrong before coming to God; however, that thinking is opposite of God's plan. In God's plan we first come to Him and then He opens the opportunities to right wrong.
You can have peace with God, a clear conscious, and a new life if you are willing to bring your troubles to Him. For this you need only ask Him to forgive you of your sin and then let His word speak to your heart.
Jesus Christ transforms lives and that came at a great price. He suffered the shame and humility for our sins, there is no need for us to do that too. Though you heart may be black and cold, Jesus came to make it white and warm, a place of rest and peace. We need only come to Him.
